By Lukulay Moses
As enshrined in section 93 subsection 3 of the 1991 constitution, the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources, together with the Sierra Leone Water Company, undertook an inspection of existing facilities and the handover of the rehabilitation and construction of the Lungi Water Supply System. The project cost about 25 million dollars and is supported by the government of Sierra Leone.
Welcoming the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources and others, the section chief of Lungi, who speaks on behalf of the Paramount Chief, began by welcoming members of Parliament and officials of the Ministry of Water Resources and the Sierra Leone Water Company in Cafubullom.He proceeded by assuring all that the community will be totally involved and will serve as watchdogs of the government in the protection and implementation of these projects.
In his statement after his introduction as Chairman of the session, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources, Honourable Musa Lahai, said Parliament has three responsibilities: one is to make laws, the other is to do representation, and perform oversight functions respectively. Explaining the composition of the committee, Honourable Lahai said the Committee constitutes both SLPP and APC Members of Parliament. ‘We are here to check on the activities of SALWACO at Lungi and other communities,’ he said. Honourable Lahai proceeded by saying Lungi is the face of Sierra Leone; therefore, it is befitting to have a good water facility within the town. He encourages the community residents to take the water facility extremely seriously and not to allow anyone to misuse the water properties.
In his brief statement, the Ag. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Raymond S. Komba, said that the ongoing projects by SALWALCO are in support of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the ministry is here to see how far the projects have gone.
Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara is a member of the committee; he also doubles as the Chief Whip of the Main Opposition party in Parliament. In his statement, he said that the people need to monitor the projects in order to benefit from them, and the committee will ensure the contractors work to satisfaction in the rehabilitation and construction of the projects. ‘If we address the water crisis in the country, we will not spend much on health issues,’ he ended.
Honourable Santigie Ibrahim Kargbo is one of the host Members of Parliament in Lungi. He started by expressing happiness for the projects and mentioned that such developments are coming to his area. He said indeed water is a pressing need for the 150,000 people in Lungi. He expressed confidence in the new direction and praised the government of His Excellency for building the airport, stating that more will be done.
Honourable Ing. Fallah Kenewah Tengbeh mentioned that the project is funded directly from the consolidated fund. He encouraged SALWALCO to provide value for money, noting that a city without water and sanitation is incomplete, Honourable Tengbeh said.
Naming some of the communities to benefit from the facility, the Managing Director of Sierra Leone Water Company, Ing. George Lamin Vandi, said Targreen Maaya, Conakry D,Portloko,Kambia, Makeni Balancing Reservoir and other communities will benefit from the various water facility projects. The government will provide water facility for thousands, if not millions, of people in different communities. The Parliamentary committee is highly needed to support the projects in order to succeed. He ended.
Explaining the scope of the projects, the director of projects said the scope of everything regarding providing water facility began with rehabilitating the existing facility. The project is designed by SALWALCO. All over Lungi will be provided with water facility. New staff quarters will be built. At the end of the projects, there will be 100% water facility in Lungi. The projects cost about 25 million dollars and are supported by the government.
The community representative for the people of Lungi Community commended the government for bringing such projects of 25 million dollars. He said indeed the government is thinking about the people of Lungi, and that the people of Lungi wholeheartedly appreciate the development. He assured SALWALCO that the water project in Lungi will surely be monitored and protected by the community. We welcome developmental projects by His Excellency President Bio.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Dr. Sao Kpato Max-Kyne started by extending greetings from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. She said water goes along with sanitation, which is why sanitation was added to the Ministry of Water Resources by President Bio.
Madam Max-Kyne added that the ministry is part of the oversight to look at the operations of SALWALCO and also to know how far the projects have gone. The political leadership is driving us to do what we are doing.Dr. Max-Kyne told the people of Lungi, ’25 million dollars is a huge amount of money indeed. The people of Lungi are blessed to have received such an investment and developmental projects in their community. Transforming Lungi is part of the government’s strategic plan.’ ‘The rehabilitation of water treatment plant is a must.
Most of the health challenges are caused by water, which these projects will totally eliminate,’ she said. ‘The government is committed to transforming the Lungi community.’
Speaking regarding maintenance, the madam minister encouraged the community people to work together in protecting these water facilities.
There is a need to work to ensure that this project benefits the people of Sierra Leone, she ended. Latco Joint Expert&Supply of Machinery site, Bankasonka River site in Portloko,Kollenton site in Kambia and Makeni Balancing Reservoir were were visited during the oversight by the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resource on Friday and Saturday, 21st and 22nd June 2024.
