By SALWACO Communications Unit
The Management of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) including the Ministry of Water Resources over the weekend visited the Bonthe Water supply project site.
The visit was to look at progress made so far since the inception of the project in July 2020. Among the visiting team were the Minister of Water Resources, SALWACO-Hon. Ing. Philip Karimu Lansana, Managing Director- Ing. George Lamin Vandi and the Chairman Board of Directors-Ing Mogamed Allieu Jalloh.
Speaking at the project site, the Minister of water Resources Ing. Philip Karimu Lansana expressed his delight in seeing community people actively getting involved in this project especially the Bonthe District Stakeholders.
He promised the Ministry’s support to the SALWACO management team to pay regular site visitation as part of effort to motivate workers and to make sure the work is done in recorded time.
The SALWACO Managing Director, Ing. George Vandi also expressed happiness, noting that the project is fully funded by the Government of Sierra Leone.
He said Bonthe is a beautiful tourist destination and the need for water facility that is clean and healthy for the people and people who visit the island is a laudable venture.
The Chairman Board of Directors, Ing. Mohamed Allieu Jalloh appreciated the work that has been done so far, noting that President Bio’s main agenda being human capital development and quality education cannot be easily achieved without the provision of clean drinking water. Provision of clean drinking water reduces illnesses and keeps children in school.
Welcoming the visiting team, Mayor Layemin Joe Sandi expressed his sincere gratitude to the whole team. He then congratulated and welcomed the new Managing Director of SALWACO.
He said that, they appreciate the work of SALWACO especially the contractors for involving them in whatever they are doing.
He said the Municipality has been without pipe borne water for over forty years and they feel relieved seeing water construction work going on and that this is the fastest project ever.
The reconstruction and construction of the Bonthe Water Supply Project for the First Desalination Plant in the country on Bonthe Island continues to progress in a very rapid way. “This construction work has created jobs for young people in the district.” Confirmed the Mayor.
Alongside this project also is the rehabilitation of the Bonthe Ferry a project undertaken by the President, RTD Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.
The Bonthe ferry rehabilitation is a mile stone achievement combating the hassle people go through in crossing over to the Island.
This is a government of “talk and do” in line with the promises made in the New Direction Manifesto.
The Bonthe Municipal is all set to get clean drinking water for her residents, said Ing. George Vandi , SALWACO, Managing Director.
Despite the ravaging Corona Virus that is affecting the World including Sierra Leone, the Bonthe Water Supply project could not wait as the people are in dire need of clean drinking water.
Providing Water for the people of Sierra Leone was among campaign messages during the 2018 election.
Just after the visit a short meeting was held with the Bonthe Municipality. Thereafter a Technical meeting was held with contractors for the Bonthe Water Project.
The site visitation was led by the Bonthe water and supply project coordinator, Ing. Sahr A. Sinah