By Janet Sesay
Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO), Africa Development Bank and the Ministry of Finance has met on Monday in Freetown to discuss the completion of the three towns’ water supply and sanitation project in Makeni, Bo and Kenema.
Financial Secretary Ministry of Finance, Sahr Jusu who chaired the meeting noted that the project is a forty-one million dollar project.
He added that based on the figures from the project coordinator, the disbursement rate is about 94% and that the African Development Bank has done its own part of the of the project in terms of the implementation.
Sahr Jusu indicated that the objectives of the projects have been met despite the challenges which are still inherent.He assured all that they will fight to ensure that the project is brought to fruition so that it would impact the lives of the residents of these three cities.
He said SALWACO has the know-how knowledge to advise governments on water management issues and the project in particular.
Sofia Bockarie, Project Monitor ,SALWACO stated that the three towns water supply project is for the three cities of Bo, Kenema and Makeni.
The project according to him was approved by the Africa Development Bank in 2010,he recounted that Government had indicated that they will meet their own part of the contract before the bank approved.
The project according to him has three components: capacity building, infrastructure and project management.
On the area of infrastructure he disclosed that they are constructing and rehabilitating water supply structures in all three cities in Bo, Kenema and Makeni, whiles around capacity building they are training staff of SALWACO and Local Councils.
Director General, SALWACO Joseph Munda Sandi in his own contribution noted that the project is very critical to the water needs of the three cities
He intimated the meeting that he has just taken over office but assured all that he will look into the project with a view to understand the challenges and success areas so far.
Mr. Collins Annon Consultant at the Africa Development Bank stated that, he is ready to help in the completion of the project even though he has not participated in the initial design of the project.
The World Bank he assured all is committed to the completion of the project.
He said they are putting together all documents and funds together concerning the successful completion of the project.