Post a comment 
The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has officially launched a major water supply project aimed at improving access to safe drinking water in Kenema District.
During a ceremony on December 18, 2025, the Managing Director of SALWACO, Ing. Tideni Hawa Jabbi, announced that the project involves the rehabilitation and construction of ten gravity water dams, which are fully funded by the Government of Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
Ing. Jabbi affirmed that despite the country’s progress, access to safe drinking water in Sierra Leone remains well below regional and international standards.
She stressed the importance of addressing this gap in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of water supply and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). “This initiative is essential to improving water supply and the living conditions of communities in the Kenema District,” she said.
The project, which is expected to be completed within 16 months, will focus on rehabilitating existing gravity dams and constructing new ones across the district. Castleton Rhodes Commodities LLC, a company led by former Sierra Leone Football Association President Thomas Daddy Brima, has been contracted to carry out the work.
In her speech, Ing. Jabbi underscored the critical need for the project, noting that human activities in the Kambui Hills, a key water source, have historically posed challenges to the local water supply. She assured the community that the new initiative would improve water availability and contribute to the overall development of the region.
Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, Chief Kenie Momoh Ngomoblongo, Town Chief of Kenema, expressed his strong support for the project. He emphasized the significance of the water supply project for the district, acknowledging the past difficulties caused by water scarcity. “We fully support SALWACO and the contractor, and we are committed to ensuring the success of this project,” he stated.
Councillor Umaru Dabor of the Kenema District Council also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of both water and electricity in the district’s development.
He called for closer collaboration between SALWACO and the District Council to ensure smooth coordination and prompt resolution of any challenges during the project’s implementation. “This partnership is vital to ensure that the people of Kenema benefit from this important development,” Councillor Dabor said.
The new water supply project is expected to bring lasting improvements to the district, significantly enhancing access to clean and safe drinking water for the local population.
