By Ragan M. Conteh
Opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Member of Parliament representing Constituency 059, Mansugbala Munu-Thalla and Kamba sections in the Kambia District, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK) on Thursday 14th November 2019 lampooned authorities managing the country’s water sector towards what he described as ‘their inefficiency’ in providing pure and adequate water supply for the citizens of the country.
The Hon. MP emphasized that Guma Valley Water Company, Ministry of Water Resources and SALWACO have all not taken concrete steps in terms of policy directions in solving the country’s perennial water crisis.
The Hon. MP was standing on Standing Orders (SO) 23, which gives power to Members of Parliament to raise issues affecting their Constituencies and the country as a whole in the Well of Parliament.
He drew the attention of the House to the acute water shortage in the country; especially in the east-end of the capital, Freetown.
This, according to the Parliamentarian, was directly responsible for early teenage pregnancy and SGBV cases.
The MP questioned the vision of the country’s water sector, noting that massive land grabbing, cutting down of forest cover and building on protected water catchment areas is increasingly creating problems for the sustainability of the sector.
He also disclosed that many of the pipes connecting residences in the capital city of Freetown have been destroyed during the construction of roads thus making it difficult for their constituents to access life (water).
“The present state of water pipes in the country are deplorable and disturbing, the demand for water from the general public especially from the Guma Valley Water Company and SALWACO is a huge concern,’’ he stressed.
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, with the leave of the Retired Hon. Speaker, urged law makers through the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources to undertake a thorough oversight responsibility on Guma Valley Water Company regarding the present state of the water system in country.
The new Parliamentary Chairman on Water Resources, Hon. Lahai Marrah, reiterated that issues relating to the shortages and damages of pipes in the water sector are very alarming, committing that as the new Chairman of the sector, he would summon the relevant authorities to address the issue.
He urged authorities including Road Maintenance Fund Administration, SLRA, Guma Valley Water Company, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Environment and SALWACO to have a round table discussion on the way forward.
Hon. Lahai Marrah noted that MDAs should endeavor to work with the House of Parliament through the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources to help address the challenges of the water sector.