Government through the Ministry of Water Resources over the weekend, conducted pre-test of the newly constructed water facility in Koinadugu District.
With support from the Government, African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) continues to surge forward with providing pipe borne water to rural communities, and this time Kabala residents are the beneficiaries.
During a pre-test of the reconstructed facility by Government through a Chinese water Company, SALWACO’s Director-General, Samuel Bangura stated that at the time of developing the reconstruction design for the water facility, the engineers never knew, the population of Kabala township would have grown, as it is now.
He said the facility will service over 70,000 residents, making room for expansion to serve emerging communities.
Mr Bangura stated that the project was launched in late 2011, but work started early in 2012 on the BADEA component for the construction of the 2,500m service reservoir and distribution network in the town which is already complete, and the second phase of the facility included the construction of the raw water intake structure, water treatment plant, as well as the clear water transmission pipeline from the main source of Musaia, Mongo river to the township of Kabala.
He noted that 8 communities with a population of about 16,000 between Musaia and Kabala will also benefit from the water facility, which has a back-up facility of three bore holes, to serve the township in the event of routine maintenance or technical failure, the bore holes will be able to supply water uninterrupted.
The SALWACO Director-General, furthered that despite the project did not have specific interventions in sanitation, from savings made, 20 toilet facilities were constructed in the township and will be made available for use.
Questioned by the media whether there are plans to install water facility to other parts of the Country, the young and astute Director-General smiled and replied in the affirmative, “As a responsible water company, it is the dream of SALWACO, with support from both government and communities to endeavour and ensure that every town and village in rural communities have access to clean and safe water that will be affordable”.
At Musaia which is 15 miles off from the township, the Minister of Water Resources, Momodu Malagie II explained Government’s agenda plan to improve the water sector in the Country, which has been and is still a big challenge, especially in hard to reach communities who have no alternative, but to depend on streams and rivers for water source.
He said it is no favour Government is doing to provide access to clean and safe water, noting that water is life and a right, therefore government is obligated to provide its citizens with the basic amenities of life, which water is a priority.
Minister Malagie said migration in rural communities occurs when there is lack of basic social services, and this gap if closed will reduce the mass exodus from rural communities to urban areas.
He commended staff of SALWACO, which was established in 2001 mandated with the responsibility of providing potable water and sanitation facilities for communities outside Freetown and its surroundings, but over the years as a result of several reasons the company was unable to deliver what was expected of government, until recently when a new team of young dynamic individuals were appointed to man the helm of affairs, which has witnessed huge transformation in the country’s rural water sector.
The Chairman Board of Directors, SALWACO, Hon. Robin Faley also witnessed the pre-test commissioning of the Kabala water facility, and was highly impressed from the work carried out by the Chinese company, which demonstrated commitment to complete the work on time using the latest design and technology, which can only be found in China and South Africa.
He informed Kabala residents that the water and sanitation facilities is part of government’s commitment to deliver what it promised to the people, and urged them to handle the facilities with care noting that there are other areas that are in need of same service.
The Chairman, Water and Energy Regulation Commission appealed to residents that when the water facility would have become fully operational, they should cooperate with local authorities to pay for the service, noting that despite water is God’s gift, it is not free after it has gone through treatment to avoid water borne diseases.
He advised local authorities and council that before the commissioning the commission will hang heads with their administration to reach an agreed cost, each household or Institution will have to pay on a monthly basis, and for those who will be using the public stand pipes will also have a small cost to bear.
Speaking to Awoko, many residents involve in both large and small scale enterprise, expressed gratitude to SALWACO for the reconstruction of the water facility, which they described as “Gold” stressing that water is life and it is the right of every citizen to have access to pure portable water.
Adama Marah, a mother of three was very delighted that the defunct water facility has been constructed, and she will do business without fear of access, to clean and safe water.
She disclosed that she does not work, but have to sell home food (cookery) and cold water to make a living, but during the dry season, especially in March when access to safe water becomes a challenge, it is difficult for her to do business, because she can only afford to secure an amount of water for home consumption, as a result her purse runs dry and life becomes stiff to survive.
By Ade Campbell
Wednesday November 09, 2016