By Tejan Ayoub Joaque in Port Loko
Some residents in the northern town of Port Loko say there is deceit and politics in the way piped water is being supplied them.
One resident, Issa Kanu, alias Rasta, told Politico that the authorities were using the water supply “to gain political favors”. He said they were only supplied water when President Ernest Bai Koroma visited the town. “They must stop playing politics with water” he bellowed, adding that even the taps erected in the town are substandard.
Another resident, Fatmata Tejan who is a trader at the Port Loko Central Market, said the authorities wanted to use the water supply to campaign for the forthcoming elections and blasted that they only supplied “such a basic neccessity” when “the big APC guys visit Port Loko”.
Responding to the allegations, the head of Water Consultancy Services, the company responsible for the provision of water supply in the township, said that his company had completed about 95% of their work which he said was only the rehabilitation of the dam and the connection of taps to provide water.
Arthur Wilson went on to say that his company had tested their work by pumping water across the township and that they would try to replace the damaged pipes with with new and stronger ones. He denied the allegation that his company was politicizing the distribution of water to gain political favor, adding that it was the responsibility of the district council to provide fuel for the machine to enable the distribution of water across the township.
The finance officer of the Port Loko District Council, Abdul Bangura confirmed to Politico that the water consultancy services had almost completed their work and that it was left with the district council to provide funds for the distribution of water to the town. He appealed to residents of Port Loko “to be patient as council is trying very hard to provide the funds needed for the supply of water within the shortest possible time”.
