By Jenneh Braima
The chiefdom headquarter town of Small Bo in Kenema District has benefited from SALWACO's "Quick Water Supply Project’’.
The Director General of SALWACO, Samuel Bangura said the provision of pure drinking water in the Blama Community was part of several projects to be implemented throughout the country.
He said government - not a political party - owned SALWACO, adding that even though his appointment was political, the service provided by the company was devoid of political interference.
Bangura said the need for safe drinking water throughout the country was part of the government's "Agenda for Prosperity", pointing out that 12 years ago the mandate of SALWACO was to provide pure drinking water to district headquarter towns only, but that since 2010, the Parastatal's responsibility of providing safe drinking water had been extended to cover the entire country.
SALWACO's station manager in Kenema District, Alimamy Kolifa Kamara said the project to provide safe drinking water for the people of Blama was worth about Le 75 million. He said 3,000 litre tanks had been installed in nine different locations within the township to ensure that everybody had access to the facility.
Kamara said that for a long time residents had been drinking from unprotected wells apparently infecting them with several water-borne diseases.
Member of Parliament for Constituency 17, Habib Munda commended the efforts of SALWACO. He said the availability of potable water was desired by the community, adding that the resource would help save the lives of his people. He assured that his people would make very good use of the facility.
The MP noted however that Blama town needed a
resident doctor and an upgrade of its hospital.
The Women’s Leader in Blama, Mariama Bockarie expressed gratitude for the provision of water in their town, noting that the facility would benefit women the most because they were doing the cooking and other domestic chores.
(C) Politico 25/03/14
