The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Dr. Sao Kpato Max-Kyne has said that water supply and sanitation are critical to achieving President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers in the next five years.

“Water is a critical input for agricultural production and is important to food security. It is also critical for Human Capital Development; it drives job creation and economic growth”.

Dr. Max-Kyne was speaking during a meeting with the Management staff of Guma Valley Water Company at the Guma Building on Friday 25th August 2023.

She explained that President Bio is very passionate about water and sanitation and has been upset that this important sector has been subsumed under other sectors; “That is why when you look at the Big Five Game Changers, you may not see water and sanitation written in black and white; but it is the thread that goes from Feed Salone, even to the Public Sector Revamping. And it is that importance that I want you to know and take on as we do our work”.

Dr. Max-Kyne said her ministry will continue to provide policy oversight and supervision to agencies in the sector and admonished Guma to ensure that debts owed to the entity are recovered and also to work harder to reduce the non-revenue water so that it can be a more financially viable entity.

In his statement, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ing. Francis Kallon lauded the Guma Board, Management, and staff for keeping the supply of water to Freetown running despite the challenging economic environment under which the company is operating.

Mr. Kallon said the Freetown WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project is very important to improving the existing water supply situation in the Western Area.

The Deputy Minister expressed concern about the spate of deforestation ongoing in the Western Area Peninsula National Park and said they will work with other ministries and agencies and ensure that the Park is protected.

Speaking on the mandate and operations of Guma Valley Water Company, the Managing Director, Ing. Maada S. Kpenge said the key objectives of the company presently is to increase access to safe water supply and improve customer satisfaction and revenue collection.

 Ing. Kpenge informed that work is currently ongoing at Regent, Mambo, Angola Town, and Waterloo that will improve access to water supply in these communities.

He furthered that Guma is working with the African Development Bank to attract funding for the construction of proposed dams at Regent and Hamilton to ease the water supply challenge in the Western Area.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation and her deputy were earlier formally presented to the Management of Guma Valley Water Company by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Brima Sowa.