By Amin Kef Sesay
On Tuesday 8th December, 2020, Ing Francis Moijueh, representing the Minister of Water Resources, launched the Mambo Community Water Supply Project valued to the tune of Le 14.6 billion at the Hill Valley Academy Hall.
The Mambo Community Water Supply Project, which is supported by the Government of Sierra Leone, comprises the construction of a weir, treatment and storage facilities, pipe distribution network and installation of 20 water kiosks; of which 15 and 5 will be located in Mambo and Hamilton communities respectively.
Speaking at the launch, Ing. Moijueh admonished the contractor, Brunnenbau Conrad (BBC) to be very transparent in its dealings with the community and ensure that grievance redress and stakeholder engagement mechanisms are put in place for the smooth execution of the project.
The Minister’s representative added that they will be strictly monitoring the work of the contractor and advised that Guma consider connections to households as one of the project deliverables.
Making a statement on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, Ing. Francis Lahai said the Medium-term National Development Plan 2019 – 2023 is founded on Government’s strong political commitment to deliver results that would improve the welfare of Sierra Leone’s citizens. “That is why in 2020, Government invested Le 23 billion and Le 150 billion in Guma and SALWACO respectively to improve on water supply across the country”.
The Headmen of the Mambo and Hamilton Communities, Mohamed Samai and Morlai Conteh respectively praised the Government for such a laudable development and pledged the full support of their community members for the project as they have been yearning for pipe borne water supply for a very long time.
In his statement, the Managing Director of Guma, Maada Kpenge apologized to the people of Mambo community on behalf of the company for lack of pipe borne water supply for nearly 60 years; “the main transmission pipes pass right through the Mambo community, but it is only now we are about to provide safe and clean pipe borne for its residents”.
Mr. Kpenge said: “His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is very passionate about improving the lives of every Sierra Leonean; and so when we proposed this project, the Government was happy to support us fully”.
Director Peter Amara, a member of the Board of Guma said they are always ready to give strategic direction and support to the Management of Guma to carry out the water sector policy of the New Direction Government; which targets 80% access to water supply for all Sierra Leoneans by 2023.
The construction phase of Mambo Community Water Supply Project is expected to last for six months and will provide access to safe and clean water supply for over 5000 residents in Mambo and Hamilton when completed.
