The Leadership of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has concluded the closing and opening sessions of technical proposals for preparation of detail project report and to recruit a project management consultant under the four towns water supply project.
Speaking during the event, Managing Director of SALWACO, Ing. George Lamin Vandi welcomed all present including the Board Chairman of SALWACO and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources. Ing. Vandi further thanked and appreciated his members of staff for the works that have so far been done and assured the consultants of the transparent, fair and balanced dealings at SALWACO, noting that there would be no room for things that are counterproductive. He thanked the People and Government of India, through the Indian EXIM Bank and stated that the four community beneficiaries of the water project are in dire need of clean and sustainable water. The MD however said that the signing of the financial agreement is subject to the review and approval from the Indian EXIM Bank.
Board Chairman of SALWACO, Alhaji Ing. Mohamed Alie Jalloh expressed gratitude over the project and stated that as one of the architects behind the establishment of SALWACO, he always feels pleasurable when good news sets the agenda for the institution and noted that he in like manner feels sad when any form of negativity touches the Company.
The Chairman touched on the need to get women involved in such projects, noting that whenever there’s water shortage, woman feel and face the bulk of the torment. Ing. MA Jalloh also congratulated the MD, DMD and the rest of the SALWACO management and staff for what he described as the massive jobs that have been done over the years, stating that the improvements and gains that have so far been made are visible for all to see. He also used the opportunity to thank the Indian Government and stated that the provision of water to four rural communities is a laudable one. He cited the Njala University as a case in point. He recalled how SALWACO has successfully executed water projects like those of the six (6) towns and hoped for smooth execution and in record time for the ongoing project.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Sowa assured that the Ministry is ready to give the necessary support while thanking specifically the SALWACO management and that of the technical team. He said that the timing of the project is very crucial and that all parties should work towards proper and sober implementation, adding that such is the desire of the proposed beneficial communities.
The representative from the Ministry of Finance’s Multilateral Project Division, Abraham Jacob, a Senior Economist, thanked the SALWACO management and expressed hope that due diligence would be done in selecting the most suitable and successful candidate for the implementation of the project.
SALWACO’S Director of Project Management, Ing. Yankuba Jusu Tarawally spoke on the critical nature of the project. He said that it was necessary to look at all the technical proposals in an open manner and assured that the most successful bidder will bag the contract.
The opening of the proposals was done by SALWACO’S Director of Procurement Services, Joe Gbouma-Alieu who also doubled as the moderator/chairman of the session.
The session also attracted the presence of the Deputy Managing Director of SALWACO, Mr. Albert Harrison Harvey, the four Indian Consulting Firms and the SALWACO Communications Unit.