Ministry of Water Resources Moves to Resolve and Accelerate National WASH Access Project
Sia Lucy Kannah The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has convened the Fourth Project Steering Committee Meeting of the Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project to review implementation progress, address challenges, and agree on strategic priorities to accelerate project delivery.
The meeting brought together government institutions, implementing agencies, and other stakeholders to assess progress since the previous meeting in July 2026 and identify practical solutions to outstanding implementation bottlenecks.
In his opening remarks, the Ministry’s Director, Engineer Augustine Amara, thanked committee members, the project implementation team and development partners for their continued commitment. He emphasised the importance of collective responsibility and effective collaboration in achieving the project’s objectives.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, stressed the need for stronger institutional coordination, ownership and accountability.
She expressed concern over the absence of some key implementing institutions and urged all agencies to participate actively in project activities and decision-making.
Presenting the implementation update, Project Coordinator, Mustapha Sheku Gibril, reported that the project had moved from planning to active implementation since March 2026, with progress recorded in technical preparation, procurement and contract awards.
However, he noted that some strategic challenges required the Steering Committee’s intervention.
A major concern was the funding gap affecting proposed Guma Valley Water Company infrastructure works. The Minister called for a realistic review of the project scope to ensure that activities could be completed within available resources.
Furthermore, the Committee also discussed land acquisition challenges affecting the Freetown City Council and Western Area Rural District Council. Following deliberations, both councils were given until mid-December 2026 to resolve outstanding land issues and provide the required documentation. Failure to meet the deadline could lead to the reprogramming of allocated funds towards other feasible project activities.
The Minister further emphasised that delays by one implementing agency should not prevent others from making progress.
Finally, the ministry reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening coordination, improving accountability and accelerating project implementation to enhance water security and access to water, sanitation and hygiene services across Sierra Leone.