Finance Minister signs USD 43.27 million loan agreement
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Kaifala Marah (in photo) and the Director, Africa Development Bank (ADB), Mr. Yero Badleh, on Tuesday, October 22 this year, signed an agreement for the proposed USD 43.27 million Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project in the Ministry’s conference room at George Street in Freetown.
Welcoming participants to the signing ceremony, the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Momodu Maligie, who also served as Chairperson of the ceremony, expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone, the African Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners for their support towards the project, stressing the importance of the project and the need to increase water supply to the rural areas.
He pointed out that the project will benefit five districts in the country, namely, Kambia, Kono, Koinadu, Bonthe and Pujehun.
He noted that although there were many challenges confronting the country, the project serves as a major step towards ensuring sustainable development.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Kaifala Marah, said the event marked another milestone in the history of Sierra Leone.
He thanked the African Development Bank and partners for their timely intervention, pointing out that the ADB has supported Government’s Agenda for Prosperity which he said will benefit the rural people.
He noted that the most of the pillars in the Agenda for prosperity are human development through social protection which President Ernest Bai Koroma demonstrated by establishing the Ministry of Water Resources to highlight the significant role of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO). He reminded beneficiaries about the need o set up oversight committees in their communities to monitor the implementation of the project.
Giving an overview of the project, the Acting Director General of SALWACO, Mr. Samuel Bangura, stated that the project is expected to increase access to safe water supply from 40% to 49%, to access the improved sanitation from 7% to 13%, and access for ninety one school children.
He said the project will directly benefit an estimated six hundred and twenty five people thousand (47% women), provided with access to safe water including restoring access to for three hundred and sixty one thousand.
He explained that the objective of the Natural Rural Water Supply and sanitation Programme Development was to develop a comprehensive framework to facilitate effective sector management and resource mobilization.
In his comments, the ADB Representative in Sierra Leone said the Bank Group remains committed to support the Agenda for prosperity as well as the continued support to other investments geared towards enhancing inclusive growth and improving rural livelihood.
He expressed optimism that the arrangement would yield dividends, especially in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
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