By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Time, they say, flies! Indeed, as it is now sixty years since the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) started operations in the country, over the years manufactured favourite alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which its cherished customers have been enjoying to consume throughout these sixty years.
Sixty years of existence is an accomplished feat which SLBL has been able to achieve partly because of the active cooperation of residents in its area of operations and through the patronage of loyal consumers of its products.
As part of the sixty years celebrations, Management of the company thought it fit to continue to give back, as it has been doing in the past, to residents of communities where the company is operating by responding to their felt needs, captured in an assessment, which includes water and toilet facilities.
It was against such a backdrop that on the 24th August, 2022, the company facilitated the turning of the sod for a Project, which includes the construction of WASH facilities for residents of the Calaba Town community which was done by Dr. Unpha Sorie Koroma, the Member of Parliament, at the Pamuronko Community and the Pa Morlai Field Community, within Constituency 114.
The turning of the sod was done in the presence of the Corporate Affairs Manager of SLBL-Foday Daboh, the Communications Manager of SLBL-Unisa Conteh, the Contractor- Community Agricultural Development Association (CADA-SL), community residents and journalists.
The Corporate Affairs Manager of SLBL, Foday Daboh, welcomed all present intimating that the main purpose of the meeting is to inform community residents that the turning of the sod is about to be done for the commencement of the implementation of the project.
He revealed that some time in the past residents from the Calaba Town community approached the company and kindly requested assistance for the provision of certain facilities which they were constrained with.
Foday continued that as a caring company, after listening to their requests they then decided to forward their request to the Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF) and according to him HAF gave approval and agreed to fund the implementation of the project.
“HAF decided to support the WASH Project for the Calaba Town community with the sum of €70, 585,” he disclosed, an information that was greeted by a resounding round of applause. He, however, underscored that the funds are not meant to be handed over to the Member of Parliament, Councillor or any community leader stressing that none of them has anything to do with finance.
The Corporate Affairs Manager also encouraged the contractor to source community labour and resources where possible further calling on residents to constructively report any untoward attitude by the contractor adding that if there is persistent disturbance to the work it could be possible for the project to be taken somewhere else. He disclosed that over 22,000 people will benefit from the Calaba Town WASH Project.
In his statement, Dr. Unpha Sorie Koroma, pointed out that he is indeed excited, elated and very grateful for the commencement of the implementation phase of the project. He extended thanks and appreciation to the Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF) for providing the funds and the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited for channeling their felt needs for them to be acknowledged, approved and to be addressed. The Member of Parliament maintained that such an intervention could only come from a responsible corporate business entity. He admonished the community residents to embrace the project, give their total cooperation to the contractors and monitor its successful completion underscoring how it will greatly help to alleviate the constraints they are now facing with regards WASH facilities.
“After completion the facilities will be operated on a cost return basis as residents will have to be paying minimal fees for using them in order to pay the caretakers in order to maintain sustainability,” he told the gathering.
On her part, the Councillor of the Ward where the WASH facilities will be located, Mary Kamara, revealed that some time ago when a needs assessment was conducted most of the residents identified clean water and toilet facilities as felt needs adding that she is very happy that today their dream has turned out to become a reality.
“My Constituency and Ward falls within one of the slum communities in Freetown and plays host to people from other communities that are engaged in business activities,” she pointed out adding how accessing WASH facilities has been a big challenge stating that there are some people who openly defecate on the rivers.
“The project will drastically reduce pollution,” she expressed optimism extending thanks to the Heineken Africa Foundation for providing the funds. She said the community residents will value the Project as it is a felt need.
It could be recalled that with support from the Heineken Africa Foundation, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) on the 22nd July 2022 launched two new community development projects that will benefit residents of Wellington and Calaba Town respectively.
The two projects to be implemented, which falls under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility are; WASH Project for Calaba town community worth €70,585 and Gravity Water Supply system project for the people of Wellington worth €89,589.5.
