By Ragan M. Conteh
Members of Parliament from both side of aisle have expressed concerns over the poor distribution of water from Guma Valley Company.
Making his submissions on Tuesday 4th June 2024, during the approval of Presidential nominees, the Chief Whip of the opposition Hon Abdul Karim Kamara, said water sector is the weakest in Sierra Leone.
He informed the house that “Presidential Lodge depends on water bouncers today”.
He asked the entire house that if the Presidential Lodge depends on water bouncers what will the masses downtown use?
Hon AKK pointed out that water has been a perennial problem that cuts across Sierra Leone.
He spoke about the need for government to put premium emphasis on water production for the benefit of citizens.
The opposition Chief Whip says the Guma Valley Company will not give water to the public by magic, adding that government and politicians should empower the water sector financially.
He maintained that this is a shame for a Presidential Lodge to depend on water supply bouncers these days.
He revealed that most of the water related diseases like cholera are caused by impure water.
The MP also pointed out on the rampant sachets of water companies which are producing water that are not fit for public consumption.
He stated that the Standards Bureau is not equipped to test the contents of the water of these companies.
In his submission, the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon Bashiru Silikie has confirmed in the chambers of Parliament that the Sierra Leone law house is struggling over access to water.
“As Parliament we are still buying water. The house is extremely struggling of water supply,” he said.
Hon Bashiru Silikie says he lives in a community of over 4,000 people and around Guma Valley Company but it is going without water supply.
He underscores how lots of children are going to school late due to water scarcity in the community.
The Leader of Government Business, who doubles as the SLPP MP from Kenema districts, says there is catastrophe hanging over due to the encroachment of people into the Guma Valley dam.
“If we don’t take care of our dam and we allow the dam to go down catastrophe will descend on us.”