The South-East sensitization campaign for the Saudi-funded 100 solar-powered boreholes project officially commenced today in Bo District with a stakeholder engagement session held at the Bo District Council Hall. The initiative is part of the Saudi Program for the Drilling of Wells and Rural Development in Africa (Phase V – Sierra Leone), facilitated by the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO).
Speaking at the session, Apostle Dr. Albert Harrison Harvey, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Managing Director of SALWACO, emphasized that the project aligns with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Big Five Agenda, the Medium-Term National Development Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With support from the Saudi Fund for Development, the project aims to provide safe and sustainable water supply services in rural communities.
According to Dr. Harvey, the project will benefit 100 communities across 78 chiefdoms, targeting an estimated 250,000 people. Bo District is slated to receive 11 wells, with one allocated per town. He further disclosed that EMT, an international contractor, has been selected to implement the works.
Dr. Harvey called on district stakeholders to assist in establishing local focal teams, securing suitable land for drilling, and ensuring the selected sites are safe and free from contamination.
Host Paramount Chief Mohamed Tshomee Kargbo II welcomed the SALWACO team and expressed his gratitude for the initiative, noting that clean water access has long been a pressing need in many communities.
Chairing the program, Bo District Council Chairman Mr. Victor Koseh Hindowa commended SALWACO and its partners for their efforts in delivering sustainable water infrastructure to underserved areas.
In his statement, SALWACO’s Regional Manager South, Edmond M.A. Kabu highlighted the project’s core objective: to raise the standard of living in rural communities through reliable access to clean drinking water. Each borehole, he explained, will be equipped with a solar-powered pumping system, a 10,000-litre storage tank, and a distribution network reaching up to one kilometer, including standpipes and taps.
Ing. Alex P. Musa, SALWACO’s Station Manager, presented a technical overview of the project. He stated that SALWACO will provide oversight, technical support, and continuous monitoring. He also underscored the importance of community participation, including land provision, focal person identification, infrastructure protection, and long-term facility management.
Also addressing the gathering, Director of Commercial Services Mr. Mohamed Aziz Waggay noted that the project has a two-year implementation timeline. He emphasized that community involvement is central to the project’s success. To prevent future disputes, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between SALWACO and identified landowners or donors, witnessed by local councils. The boreholes, he said, are intended for the benefit of all community members.
The sensitization campaign will continue in Mattru Jong, followed by engagements in Moyamba and Pujehun Districts, and will conclude in Kailahun and Kenema Districts.
