For the effective implementation and enforcement of the law on water resources management, the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA) and the Sierra Leone Police,(SLP) on Thursday 13th October 2022, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

To achieve the parties’ mutual desires, each party agrees to the following roles and responsibilities:

NWRMA’s Roles and Responsibilities shall include providing training capacity to the SLP on the water resources management law to investigate and prosecute breachers of the law on water resources management.

NWRMA Shall develop national compliance activities quarterly and yearly, as a strategy to enforce the law and regulations and shall notify (in writing), the SLP within a reasonable period (at least one (1) week ahead of the date for support in what would be a joint compliance effort, except where the circumstances require urgency.

NWRMA Shall seal off operations, impound tools, or equipment at the operations site of water users or constructors of works for water use where there is an alleged breach of the laws and regulations.

The SLP Roles and Responsibilities shall include providing security support to the NWRMA in the enforcement of its laws and regulations at the operation sites of water users and constructors of works for water use.

The SLP shall investigate alleged crimes on water bodies as well as the sources from which the resource generates and jointly prosecute suspects with the NWRMA. The SLP shall also effect arrest where the Agency recommends arrest.

Parties agree to uphold their roles and responsibilities in a committed and good-faith manner.

The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu signed on behalf of the SLP, whilst Mr. Junisa P. Bangali, Director General signed on behalf of NWRMA.