The National Water Resources Management Agency has strengthened its partnership with the Judiciary as part of efforts to enhance the protection and sustainable management of Sierra Leone’s water resources.
This followed a high-level engagement on Thursday, during which officials of the Agency met with the Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening enforcement of water resource regulations and scaling up compliance measures to include prosecution of offenders.
The partnership is geared toward supporting the effective implementation of the National Water Resources Management Act, 2017, promoting accountability, preventing illegal water use, protecting rivers and catchment areas, and ensuring the sustainable management of water resources for present and future generations.
During the meeting, the Chief Justice reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to upholding justice and fairness in matters concerning water resource governance. He emphasized the urgent need for effective and sustainable management of water resources, warning that climate change and increasing human activities continue to threaten the long-term availability of safe water.
He noted that a strong legal framework, backed by firm enforcement, is critical to safeguarding vital water ecosystems across the country and underscored the Judiciary’s role in adjudicating water-related offences, resolving disputes arising from water abstraction and usage, and enforcing statutory regulations.
Officials of the National Water Resources Management Agency explained that the move toward prosecution represents a major shift in their compliance strategy, intended to deter violations, strengthen adherence to regulatory standards, and promote responsible water use nationwide.
Both parties stressed that effective water governance depends on strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, and close collaboration among all arms of government, particularly as Sierra Leone faces increasing environmental and climate-related challenges.
