The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources through the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has received funding from the (Islamic Development Bank) and BADEA for the rehabilitation of the Kabala Water Supply scheme to meet the increased demand for pipe borne water by residents.
SALWACO on Thursday 16th February, 2012 took contractors bidding for the Kabala water supply project on a conducted of the project site in Kabala Town to determine the extent of the scope of work before the award of the project contract.
The development oriented Ag. Director General of SALWACO Victor Hasting Spaine while addressing a cross section of the contractors at the pre-bidding meeting held in Kabala Town said “we want credible and responsible contractors to bid for the project for an effective implementation of the project as desired by the government and funding agencies.”
Mr. Spaine properly explained about the scope of work for the project which he said is in two phases, additionally he said the project consist of the construction of a new 8.5Meters reinforced concrete reservoir with all the necessary fittings.
He added that the current bidding process is for phase one which includes the construction of pipe lines in Kabala Town and some booster station and reservoirs in some of the hills to supply by gravity to the people of Kabala Town.
He added that phase two will also comprise of a treatment plant at Musaia and the water will be pumped from 21km to Kabala Town which will ensure the villages are provided with pipe borne water.
He went on to explain that the potential contractor shall also construct and erect in-line valves and bulk water meters and further construct a new water treatment works with all the necessary pipe works and electro-mechanical works.
The Ag. Director of SALWACO stated that, the project will also ensure the construction of a new raw water pump station at the abstraction works position and the construction of all the relevant fittings to complete the project.
He cautioned that the government takes the project very seriously and warned that they will not encourage any contractor who does not meet the specifications and requirements as stated in the bid documents.
He said “if you know are not in this business, pull out from the bidding process and give chance to other contractors,” the Director stressed.
He concluded that the project will be awarded to only credible and experienced contractors as the administrative building for the project implementation unit is nearing completion.
The Chairman of Koinadugu District Council Peter Bayogun Conteh suggested to the contractors that they recruit skilled workers in the area for the project.
The Paramount Chief of Wara Wara Yagalia Chiefdom Gbawuru Mansaray III welcomed the contractors in his chiefdom and commended the government for their intervention in providing the people with pipe borne water after many years.
Representatives of contractors present at the pre-bid meeting expressed fairness over the bidding process and commended SALWACO for facilitating the process.
They visited most of the sites at hill tops of Kabala Town where the reservoirs are expected to be located.
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