By Ragan M. Conteh
Parliamentarians have ratified a US$25M agreement between government and Grafton Investment (SL) limited. The ratification process which took place last Tuesday was for national development, parliamentarians say.
Presenting the new agreement for ratification, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara highlighted the benefits of the agreement in light of expansion of the company, employment, sustainability, quality water and other beverage production as well as market creation for farmers.
Deputy Chairman for the Committee on Trade and Industry, Hon. Osman Charles Abdulai said the agreement was not controversial.
The Deputy Chairman informed parliamentarians that it was sad to hear that Grafton had gone into liquidation and welcomed news that a new company had taken over.
He spoke about the protection of the Local Content Policy which is related to job creation for Sierra Leoneans, and also touched on the prevention of risk and mitigating factors which, he said, caused Grafton Water Company to go into liquidation.
Hon Abdulai admonished the new company to embark on savings of profit from sales and called for the collaboration of line ministries to look into important issues or articles in the agreement to ensure implementation.
Chairman of Water Resources Committee, Hon. Lahai Marah outlined the various minerals that would be produced by the new company.
He informed colleague members of parliament that 85% of water produced by water companies was not fit for use.
The water producing companies, he said, were not controlled as those in the sector failed to meet the requirements.
The unwarranted action, Honourable Marrah said, was frustrating, but the committee could not bring proper regulations to the water industry.
“The matter is very serious” he said. He appealed for collective action about regulations for the water sector.
He also informed co-parliamentarians that Grafton Water Company previously maintained standards, but later failed to live up to task prompting a take-over.
“People are not selling water but poison” he stressed adding that some water companies are not regularised.
Leader of Opposition, Hon. Chernor Maju Bah called on the Chairman of Water Resources Committee to meet the leadership of Parliament so that tough action could be taken against water producing companies.
The Opposition Leader’s claim was buttressed by the Speaker of Parliament who directed the Water Resources Committee to summon water-producing companies to parliament after consultation with the leadership of parliament.
Parliament hopes to enhance standards and regularisation in the water sector to save lives.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Sidikie appreciated all Members of Parliament for their contributions to the debate.
He said said it was no secret that water related diseases including typhoid were commonly diagnosed at healthcare centres in the country owing to the proliferation of water companies without standards.
He said parliament would resort to stringent action against bad water producers.