The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in Sierra Leone recently held the Fourth Project Steering Committee Meeting for the Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project. The meeting aimed to review progress, address challenges, and set strategic priorities to speed up project delivery. Government institutions, implementing agencies, and stakeholders attended to assess progress since the July 2026 meeting and find solutions to implementation issues.
Engineer Augustine Amara, Director of the Ministry, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and collaboration in achieving project objectives. He thanked committee members, the project team, and development partners for their continued commitment. Minister Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy stressed the need for stronger institutional coordination, ownership, and accountability. She expressed concern over the absence of key implementing institutions and urged all agencies to participate actively in project activities and decision-making.
Project Coordinator Mustapha Sheku Gibril reported that the project had progressed from planning to active implementation since March 2026, with notable progress in technical preparation, procurement, and contract awards. However, he identified strategic challenges requiring the Steering Committee's intervention. A significant concern was the funding gap affecting proposed infrastructure works by the Guma Valley Water Company. The Minister called for a realistic review of the project scope to ensure activities could be completed within available resources.
The Committee discussed land acquisition challenges affecting the Freetown City Council and Western Area Rural District Council. Both councils were given a deadline of mid-December 2026 to resolve outstanding land issues and provide required documentation. Failure to meet the deadline may lead to the reprogramming of allocated funds towards other feasible project activities. The Minister emphasized that delays by one agency should not hinder progress by others.
The Ministry reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening coordination, improving accountability, and accelerating project implementation. The goal is to enhance water security and access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services across Sierra Leone. The project aims to address the country's water and sanitation challenges, and the Ministry is working to ensure its successful implementation.
The meeting demonstrated the Ministry's efforts to address the challenges facing the WASH Access Project. By convening the Steering Committee meeting, the Ministry brought together stakeholders to discuss progress, challenges, and solutions. The Minister's call for a realistic review of the project scope and stronger institutional coordination reflects the government's commitment to ensuring the project's success.
The Ministry's efforts to accelerate the WASH Access Project are crucial in addressing Sierra Leone's water and sanitation challenges. The project's progress and challenges will have a significant impact on the country's water security and access to hygiene services. The Ministry's commitment to strengthening coordination and improving accountability will be essential in ensuring the project's success and achieving its objectives.
Key points
- The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is working to address implementation bottlenecks and accelerate the national WASH access project in Sierra Leone.
