Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio today officially launched the Water Security and WASH Access Project, a monumental $180 million initiative funded by the World Bank.
Operating under the theme “Securing Water, Enabling Dignity, and Advancing Development,” this 10-year Multiphase Programmatic Approach aims to provide 90% national WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) coverage, reaching 4 million people by 2035.
In his keynote address, President Bio hailed the launch as a historic milestone in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of equity, dignity, and sustainable development. He underscored that access to safe water and sanitation is a fundamental right, not a privilege, stating, “My government is guided by the belief that access to safe water and sanitation is not a favour extended to the few, but a right guaranteed to all. That is why WASH is at the heart of our National Development Plan and central to our Human Capital Development agenda.”
Addressing Daily Challenges and Ensuring Equitable Access
The President highlighted the daily hardships faced by citizens, emphasizing that no child should have to walk long distances for water before school, no mother should face infection risks during childbirth due to lack of clean water, and no community should endure open defecation or waterborne diseases in the 21st century. He affirmed that the new WASH program represents a decisive step towards breaking this cycle of deprivation.
Structured in three progressive phases, the initiative provides a clear roadmap for achieving nationwide water security and sanitation access. President Bio assured that each phase would undergo robust monitoring, transparent implementation, and be linked to incentive-based delivery mechanisms.
Vision for the future and institutional strengthening
President Bio articulated a future where water poverty is eradicated, girls remain in school due to improved sanitation, health facilities are safe and functional, ecosystems are protected, and 5,000 jobs—including 2,000 for women—are created through a gender-responsive recovery.
To enhance oversight and coordination, he also announced plans to establish a Water Administration House. The President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, enabling it to enforce standards, attract investment, and effectively coordinate all stakeholders.
“This multiphase programmatic approach is a shining example of what is possible when national ownership meets international solidarity,” President Bio stated, noting the project’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
Calls for collective action and commendation from World Bank
President Bio acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, public servants in the WASH sector, GUMA Valley Water Company, SALWACO, EWRC, and the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA), urging all to deliver with integrity and excellence. “As your President, I reaffirm my full commitment to this agenda. We will ensure the programme is fully resourced and that every Sierra Leonean, in both rural hamlets and urban wards, feels the impact of this transformative investment,” he declared, concluding that “Water is not just a development commodity; it is a symbol of justice, a foundation of peace, and a building block of national resilience.”
World Bank Country Manager Dr. Abdu Muwonge praised President Bio for his strong advocacy, recalling how the President personally lobbied in Washington two years prior for investment in Sierra Leone’s WASH sector, which directly led to the funding of this transformative initiative. Dr. Muwonge urged a holistic and inclusive strategy, emphasizing the need to strengthen institutions like GUMA, SALWACO, and local councils, and calling for nationwide engagement in the stewardship of water resources.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Max-Kyne, described the occasion as a defining moment for realizing President Bio’s development vision and called for national collaboration in implementation and the development of a clear, focused roadmap to tackle WASH sector challenges.
ABJ/APA