The Board of Directors of the Guma Valley Water Company, Wednesday, 28th May 2025, concluded a two-day engagement with contractors, consultants, and inspection tours of key water project sites and facilities across the Western Area.
The visit was aimed at gaining first-hand insight into the progress and current status of major water infrastructure projects.
During the mission, the Board, accompanied by a cross-section of the management staff, held strategic meetings with contractors and consultants involved in the Freetown Water Supply and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project (WASHAERP). Participants included Hamosan Construction Company, Brunnenbau Conrad SL (BBC), KOFA Construction Company, China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO), and the supervising consultant, 3BMD Associate Consulting Engineers.
The Board also conducted site inspections at several critical locations, including the Babadorie site in Regent, Kongo Dam, Allen Town Reservoir, and ongoing pipe-laying works in Allen Town.
Chairman of the Guma Board, Ing. David Karim Fonnie, underscored the importance of these engagements, citing the Board’s responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in project execution. “Often, these matters remain at the senior management level without reaching the Board. We felt it necessary to assess the progress ourselves and ensure that reports align with realities on the ground. A contractor is only a true partner if they deliver results—that is our guiding principle,” Fonnie stated.
He also highlighted the increasing water demand in the Western Area, noting that it has tripled since Guma’s inception in the 1960s. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding water access and urged stakeholders to address obstacles through collaboration and clear communication.
As part of the ongoing WASHAERP initiative, contractors are implementing a comprehensive series of infrastructure projects to improve access to safe and reliable water across the Western Area. Among the key developments is the design and construction of nine new raw water reservoirs at Babadorie (Regent), with a total storage capacity of approximately 132 million litres.
Other components of the project include repairs to existing water infrastructure such as the Kongo Dam, Kongo Weir, Tacuyama Weir, Sugar Loaf Weir, and related transmission pipelines. New weirs are also being constructed at Mortem and Mongegba to improve water flow and increase capacity.
To support water delivery to treatment facilities, raw water transmission pipelines are being laid from the weirs to the Allen Town Water Treatment Plant. Additional community pipelines are also under construction to serve six public kiosks, boosting access to potable water in Mortem and Mongegba.
The Allen Town Water Treatment Plant is undergoing major upgrades, including design improvements, rehabilitation, and expansion to increase its treatment capabilities.
To further reinforce the supply system, two booster pumping stations are being constructed at Governor’s Lodge (Wilberforce) and Africanus Road (Kissy), aimed at improving water pressure in high zone communities.
In addition, six reservoirs are being rehabilitated at Wilberforce Village, Governor’s Lodge (Wilberforce), Barham Road, Hill Station Circular Tank, Hill Station OAU Tank, and Hooke Street (Kissy).
To connect these infrastructure components, the project will also include the installation of 45 kilometres of new distribution pipelines at Hooke Street, Allen Town, Hill Station, and Mambo.
Such efforts form part of a broader strategy to enhance the water infrastructure and ensure long-term, sustainable access to clean water for residents of the Western Area. The work packages are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
