A delegation from the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) which includes the Board and Management of the Company has concluded a stakeholders’ consultative meeting at Blama in the Kenema district, with a viewpoint to speedily complete the Water Facility at Blama-Bandawo Project and subsequently supply safe drinking water to the people.
Managing Director of SALWACO, Ing. George Lamin Vandi gave a succinct background of the project which he said started in 2014.
He said a lot had happened over the years, but that there was a concern that the project is yet to reach a successful completion, adding that it was on such note that the Ministry of Water Resources, represented by the Hon. Deputy Minister was at the site to get first-hand information and to see what could be the way forward.
Ing. Vandi went on that the management of SALWACO is expecting the project to be completed anytime soon and that contractors should be able to leave up to expectations.
Representative of the Water Resources Committee in Parliament, Hon Brima Mansaray informed that there have been lesser engagements with community people on the project.
He said at a time like this, everything should be done to successfully complete the project, with no room for excuses.
The Contractors of the project said that the meeting was very timely and that they look forward to complete the water facility soonest, citing Ebola, COVID-19 and the destruction of pipes, as a result of road works, as some of the challenges hindering the project, but appealed for more funding support to fully complete the project.
The SALWACO Project Manager of the Blama-Bandawo Project who also doubles as the Company’s Director of Operations and Management, Ing. Abdul Ben Lebbie said that the functionality of the plant is an issue and that the willingness of the contractor was another.
He said the position of management is to see that the project is completed and nothing else, adding that the Company has done all within its powers to see that the contactor is able to leave up to expectations.
The representative of the SALWACO Board, Ing. Badamasi Savage said delivery of project is key and that the contractor should avoid solvable excuses. He issued out a two-week grace period to fix the water system, adding that any attempt not to deliver will be met with consequences.
He therefore concluded that the water treatment plant is to be fully functional within two weeks, stating that such was the position of the SALWACO Board. He said any failure will result to termination.
Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Madam Nimatulai Bah-Chang said access to clean water is key and that the SALWACO management and the Contractors should do all within their powers to complete the project.
She said the political will is there to support all implementing agencies reminding the Contractors and the Company that His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has promised to provide safe drinking water for people.
She urged all parties to put hands on deck and see that all challenges are addressed and safe drinking water delivered to people.
