By Mamajah Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has proposed a budget of more than Le 20 million for the fiscal year 2026 during the ongoing bilateral budget discussions at the Ministry of Finance in Freetown.
Presenting the proposal, Head of Accounts, Frank Lahai Kamara, said the budget aims to expand access to safe drinking water, improve service delivery, and strengthen the company’s operational efficiency nationwide.
Kamara outlined the challenges facing SALWACO, noting that inadequate infrastructure in several operational areas remains a major weakness in the company’s ability to produce and supply water. He further cited non-competitive water tariffs and insufficient funds to operate and sustain treatment plants efficiently as pressing issues.
“We need more investment in new technologies to integrate the process across the board,” Kamara stressed.
On the opportunities, he explained that SALWACO is working to increase production and customer connections, pointing out that households are willing to pay if water is made available regularly. He also emphasized that advertising and sensitization on the importance of pipe-borne water would encourage more people to subscribe.
Kamara added that improved debt collection strategies and new revenue generation initiatives could ease the burden of budget deficits, while investment in modern technologies would boost growth and sustainability.
He also highlighted the threats to the company’s assets, including the misuse of water catchment areas by miners and the increasing reliance on boreholes, hand-dug wells, and streams by communities.
On operational needs, Kamara revealed that SALWACO requires Le 1,941,662.53 monthly for water provision and Le 169,895.47 for fuel and maintenance of vehicles and generators. He disclosed that the company had proposed additional revenue streams for 2026, including water rates, water bowser sales, public standposts, water kiosks, and government subventions.
Despite these challenges, Kamara pointed to significant achievements in 2025, such as the ongoing implementation of six new water supply stations in Kambia, Moyamba, Kabala, Pujehun, and Magburaka. He noted that revenue collection improved by 61%, rising from Le 5,099,985 in FY2023 to Le 8,200,653 in FY2024. Water production also increased by 41% (from 1,075,44m³ to 1,511,64m³), while customer connections grew by 21% (from 8,713 to 10,580).
Additionally, the designs for four town water supply projects funded by the Indian Exim Bank—for Njala, Matru, Dambala, and Mongor—were completed, along with another project supported by Saudi funding.
Officials from the Ministry of Finance commended SALWACO’s efforts but urged the company to prioritize sustainability and forge stronger partnerships with development agencies to supplement government resources.
The discussions form part of the government’s 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) hearings, which allow ministries, departments, and state-owned enterprises to present and defend their budget proposals in line with national priorities.
