Over 70% Lack Access to Clean Drinking Water -Opposition Whip Blasts

By Abdul Rahman Bah

During an oversight meeting led by Opposition Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara at the Parliament Administrative Building, key agencies in the water sector, including SALWACO, Guma Valley Water Company, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the Water Resources Regulatory Agency, convened to discuss the state of water management in Sierra Leone. The meeting was held on Monday 24^th February 2025, marked the committee’s first engagement with the sector under its renewed mandate. Hon. Kamara, a long-serving member of the committee since the Fifth Parliament, expressed deep concern about the state of water accessibility in the country. He noted that while Sierra Leone is blessed with abundant water sources, less than 30% of the population has access to clean drinking water. Even in Freetown, residents struggle with erratic supply. He emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among stakeholders to address this dire situation. Acknowledging past challenges, Hon. Kamara assured the agencies present that the committee’s role was not to undermine the government but to ensure transparency and accountability in service delivery. He reiterated his commitment to exposing inefficiencies that hinder access to clean water, stressing that the committee’s objective is to work closely with relevant agencies to improve the sector. He highlighted the reality that MPs live among their constituents, experiencing firsthand the water crisis in both urban and rural communities. Many communities suffer from severe water shortages, forcing residents to endure long waits for basic access. He pointed out that MPs in Sierra Leone, unlike in some other countries, remain closely connected to their people, making it imperative for them to push for solutions. Hon. Kamara also warned against political complacency, stating that the success of the water sector is not just about benefiting the government but improving the lives of all citizens. He urged the agencies to be proactive, cautioning that failure to cooperate with the committee would result in public scrutiny. He reassured them of his willingness to work together but made it clear that non-performance would be exposed through media engagement. In closing, he reaffirmed his commitment to the oversight process, emphasizing that he would dedicate more attention to this committee than any other he has served on. He called for professionalism and accountability, underscoring that the goal is to see tangible improvements in water accessibility nationwide. The session proceeded with agency representatives providing updates on their work plans and outlining challenges they face in meeting the country’s water demands.