Guma Valley Water Company Seeks $3.6B for Sustainable Freetown Water Supply
At a conference held at the Waterloo District Council Conference Hall on Tuesday, Mohamed I. Koroma, Production Manager of the Guma Valley Water Company, announced that the company needs $3.6 billion to ensure a sustainable water supply for Freetown. This investment is part of a six-year master plan aimed at addressing the city’s water challenges.
Koroma acknowledged China’s recent support in providing a hydro dam to assist with emergency water needs in Hamilton and Emergency, where the company has recently supplied 3,000 cubic litres of water to 15,000 residents.
He expressed concerns about the Angola community’s water sources, specifically the Charlotte Waterfall, which had been contaminated by human waste from nearby buildings. As a result, the company stopped using the waterfall as a water source in 2021. Despite securing $6 million from the government to improve the water system in Allen Town, contamination issues persist, and supply remains limited.
Koroma warned that water issues in Allen Town and nearby communities could persist until 2026 unless action is taken to address environmental degradation. He emphasized the company’s plans to build ten new dams in areas such as York, Tokeh, Regent, Mongeba, and Hastings, to secure the water supply. He also highlighted the need for 54 megawatts of electricity to support continuous water pumping in the Western Rural Areas, pointing out that communities like Mile 13, Sussex, and Regent are at high risk of disasters that could affect operations.
Councillor Salamatu Koroma, Chair of the Environment Committee for the Waterloo Western Rural District, echoed these concerns, urging local officials to enforce environmental regulations to protect the Guma Dams from further damage.
Both speakers called for substantial investment and strong stakeholder involvement to tackle the pressing challenges of Freetown’s water supply.
