The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has resolved a dispute over a community water facility in Calaba Town and officially handed the well over to residents for local management.

The intervention, carried out through MoPED’s Directorate of NGO Affairs, followed complaints from residents who said their access to the water source had been restricted despite it being built to serve the community.

Director of NGO Affairs, Eric Masallay, said the Ministry stepped in after receiving concerns from residents and convened stakeholder discussions to address the dispute and restore access.

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The well was originally constructed with support from the World Changing Centre Charity Organisation, led by Bernice Langley, following a needs assessment that identified access to water as a priority in the community. A portion of land was provided by a local resident for the project.

However, disagreements later emerged between the community and the organisation over management and access, resulting in limited use of the facility and forcing residents, including women and children, to travel long distances in search of water.

During the mediation process, community representatives described the difficulties they faced and welcomed government intervention. Calaba Town Chairman Jebbrey Kamara praised MoPED’s action, saying it helped resolve a long-standing challenge affecting residents.

Traditional leader Chief Pa Alimamy H. Kamara emphasised the importance of peaceful cooperation and strong community ownership in managing the facility sustainably.

Police representative Inspector Phebean J. Sandy also recounted earlier tensions linked to attempts to resolve the dispute, stressing the need for structured dialogue and a clear management system to prevent future conflict.

A representative of the landowning family, Alim Kargbo, supported the decision to restore full community access to the well.

Masallay said MoPED’s review raised concerns about the registration status of the charity organization, noting discrepancies in documentation and questions about its operational presence. He said further investigations are ongoing to verify compliance with regulatory requirements.

He added that the intervention was aimed not only at resolving the immediate dispute but also at ensuring that organizations operating in the development sector comply with national laws and standards.

Following the resolution, the water facility was officially handed over to the Calaba Town community. A management committee made up of traditional leaders, women, youth representatives, the landowning family and police will oversee its operation and maintenance.

MoPED urged NGOs and charitable organizations to comply with national regulations and maintain transparency, stressing that development projects must directly serve intended beneficiaries.

The Ministry also assured residents of continued support to maintain the facility and ensure its sustainability.