The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Water Resources chaired by Hon Lahai Marrah a few days ago decided to take tough measures against water sachet-producing companies in the country over hygiene and safety concerns.
The members of parliament (MPs) raised concerns and questions over the safety standard of the water companies operating in the country relative to consumption and have instructed them to immediately stop operations if they do not comply with laws relating to water regulation policies.
In an oversight meeting held in the Committee Room of the Administrative Building in Parliament in the presence of various stakeholders from the water sector, the Committee, after ascertaining some facts decided to institute a compliance level of sachet water production.
Briefing stakeholders of the water sector, Hon. Marrah said as parliament they are doing one of their major functions as inscribed in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone which is an “oversight” role to monitor the operational activities of the water sector in the country. He said the engagement is a continuation of several engagements with water companies across the country, in light of compliance with water regulatory policies.
The action to order sachet water companies to stop operation followed meetings with the regulatory agencies, including the Water Union, the Ministry of Health, and the Standard Bureau. The committee outlined stringent measures relative to health certificates, quality tests without which their operations will not continue. A draft operational document and report for intended legislation formed part of the process.
The Water Union expressed satisfaction with Parliament on the ongoing engagements with them and promised to comply with laws relating to water regulation policies.
During their deliberations to ascertain compliance, the committee observed that 70% of water companies failed their compliance level with the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Health, and Standard Bureau. Hon. Marah and his committee members resolved that companies who failed to comply with the laws of the land would stop operations or face the full penalty of the law.
Representatives from the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Health, as well as Standard Bureau made remarks regarding the regulations of water companies in the country. They promised the committee that they would work by the mandate, instead of compelling them to comply with due diligence. Some MPs blamed the agencies for failing to carry out their mandates to enhance compliance for the safety and good health of the people of Sierra Leone.
Certain water companies were commended by MPs for complying and requested them to do more in providing safe and affordable water for the population of the country. Defaulting companies and those in complaints have not been named.
Some sachet water consumers have told Beyond Borders that they are usually concerned about the hygiene standards of these products which are sold almost everywhere in the country in addition to concerns over their legal operations.
Commenting on the decision of Parliament, the Executive Director for Child Advocacy Network, Ibrahim Kamara, said an adequate supply of safe drinking water is a basic need for all human beings, adding that consumers are frequently unaware of the potential health risks associated with exposure to waterborne contaminants which have often led to diseases like “diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and parasitic diseases.”
“The inadequacy of pipe-borne water supply in Sierra Leone is a growing problem,” he noted, pointing out that as a result, people resort to buying sachet water.
“So I would like to commend Parliament for this bold step. I believe such a decision will help reduce some of these growing concerns from people,” he said.
BY MOHAMED AMARA GANDO
