In a bid to improve on Water Sanitation and Hygiene situation across the country, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Mada Bio on Monday 8th July 2025 officially launched the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project and the National WASH sector Development Program. The ceremony held at the Bintumani Conference Centre, was organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
President Julius Maada Bio underscored the importance of water in every sphere, while noting that water is life and therefore is not a privilege for people to have access but a fundamental human right to everyone and everywhere.
The President recalled the history of water system in the country, adding that as a nation there is need to have not only access to water but quality water for the people.
“Today invent mark an important investment in our people, the public health and the environment. My government is guided by the belief that access to safe drinking water is not a favour but a right and this is embedded in the national development plan, President Bio noted.
President Bio said that no child should work miles in search of water and that no community should suffer from water born disease.
“This project will reach 4 million people. It is in 3 phases with specific targets. My vision is to ensure no one do open defecation and our plan is for extension of the project in rural and hard to reach communities.
The President called for behavioral change campaign while calling for a transparent implementation of the project.
President Bio said his plan is to see a Sierra Leone where water challenges is no more a public health issues, and health facilities should be functioning and more job creation for women.
The president talk about plans to build a water administrative house that will be charge with the responsibility to coordinate water sanitation issues through the support of the ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
He commended the World Bank for their support and recalled that in the Ebola era and COVID the World Bank was supportive and that they continue support development.
The president however expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which some Sierra Leonean are destroying the environment especially water catchment areas. The president promises to demolishes buildings and other valuable structures erected along the water catchment areas.
In her statement the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Dr. Sao Hannah Isata McCarthy commended partners present for their support in ensuring that they grace the launching.
She said the sector is of paramount in enhancing tax mobilisation citing that there is need for the project to ensure everyone have access to water and sanitation.
The Minister said there is a commitment toward institutional reforms, National Water Resource Management Agency, and they are also going to continue to strengthening water utilities challenges.
She noted that when she assume the office an assessment was made to identify areas responsible for effective service delivery in the water and sanitation sector.
She said a diagnostic report was done and the outcome speaks to the launching.
“Sierra Leone has a paradox of water security. But let me also inform you that access to basic water in the country stands at 63 %, sanitation 32%, open defecation 25%, access to hygiene is 12%. There are numerous direct benefits in WAH and it is recommended that strengthening institutional capacity in WASH service delivery, facilitation and coordination, investment in inclusive sanitation and hygiene serves and investing in solid waste management transform the WASH sector.
In her statement the Representative from WASH-Net Fatimata Tarawalie underscored the importance of the launching.
She said the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project, jointly funded by the World Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone, is a bold and necessary step toward achieving universal access to water and sanitation in our country.
She noted that at WASHNet, they are currently implementing the WASH Systems Strengthening for Health Project, and what we see in today’s launch is not just a new project. She added that the project serves as an opportunity to build meaningful synergies adding that synergies that align government ambition with development partner support, and more importantly, that bring together policy, systems reform, service delivery, and community engagement.
She recalled the long-standing advocacy efforts from across civil society that has sparks recognition that achieving WASH goals which requires more than isolated interventions. She demands coordination, accountability, and a clear vision for sustainability.
She commends the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for its leadership, and we remain committed to supporting this agenda., particularly by ensuring that citizens are informed, empowered, and engaged in tracking progress and co-owning the results.
Speaking earlier on the Minister of Information and Civic education who also doubles as the chairman of the ceremony, Chernor Bah, described the launching as a groundbreaking event.
He said the project look at unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene situation in the country, adding that water is a value commodity while expressing the unhealthy situation before getting access to water.
The Minister of Information and Civic Education recalled how the president has boost education, food security and other development agendas in the country.
In his statement, the World Bank Country Manager in Sierra Leone, Abudu Muwonge said water affect life productivity and that according to statistics, every 1 dollar invested there is a return of 7 dollar.
The World Bank Country Director said the launching mark a very important occasion in delivering the president request of investment in water.
He cited the gap in the water sector, adding that water and sanitation remains a big challenge and is not just limited to access but also quality.
“There is every need to address the gaps and this should be a collective effort by all partners in the WASH sector.
In his statement the Minister of Finance Sheku Fantamadi Bangura gave a commitment on the part of the government in providing safe drinking water and improve sanitation.
He said the his ministry will work with the World Bank to provide finances for the project adding that the difficulties in accessing safe drinking water at community level is huge.
“As government we have accepted the challenges and we are going to invest in the sector. We also take note of the challenges and the need for investment. We will support the various government ministries, departments and agencies.
