(SLENA, 25th October, 2022).The Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) highlighted that the establishment of his office was a step in the right direction as was deemed fit by His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. Albert Harrison Harvey was speaking during an exclusive interview at the SALWACO Head Office in Freetown.
He said that he received the appointment with humility and a greater sense of pride.
He said that it was the President’s wisdom to establish the office of a SALWACO DMD.
Mr. Harvey mentioned that among his responsibilities is to be the Principal Adviser of the Vote Controller and Chief Executive of the Company, who happens to be the Managing Director, Ing. George Lamin Vandi and to further oversee the operations of all institutional departments and units. DMD Harvey who is a Financial and Public Management Expert furthered that the Government of President Bio has used what he referred to as ‘Expert Power’ to positively reshape and rebrand SALWACO.
The Deputy MD said he was not new in SALWACO, adding that he had served in various other capacities for several years before becoming the substantive and first-ever Deputy MD of the Company. He spoke on how his office provides strategic support to the Managing Director, noting that he also has a responsibility to facilitate operations and to engage all necessary industry stakeholders like those in the Ministry of Finance, Donor Partners and Non-Governmental Organizations.
He added that all of such strides are aimed at ensuring that SALWACO operates effectively and efficiently. The DMD went on to state that, the institution has recently reviewed the HR policy and other related institutional polices and frameworks, in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Mr. Harvey also informed that his office also works with External Regulatory Bodies like the Audit Service Sierra Leone and other Audit Firms, furthering that because of the efficient operations, there have been little or no queries whatsoever in so far as SALWACO operations may be concerned. DMD Harvey also stated how his office championed the Performance Audit which was done by the ACC in 2020, to assess the operational efficiency and effectiveness in delivering public services. He said that SALWACO was now able to provide quarterly institutional reports that capture the operations and activities of all units and departments.
Adding that, the preparation of an annual work plan for the institution was also a virtuous stride that the institution did undertake. He furthered that whiles supporting the Managing Director, various other relevant institutional Directorates have been established, and that the institution also did a marvelous job during the Company’s 20th year celebration/anniversary.
Mr. Harvey also cited that the management of MD, Ing. George Lamin Vandi has embarked on unprecedented transformation and institutional growth, pointing out that the Rural Water Project in late 2020 was one case in point. He also spoke on how most if not all projects were having numerous executional challenges, but that through dedicate and shared leadership, SALWACO has been able to surmount such challenges. He said that they were also able to resolve pending issues raised by the African Development Bank (AfDB), adding that they were subsequently also able to disburse funds for the completion of projects.
He spoke on how the Six (6) Towns Water Supply Project that were stalled at some point, but that it was also resuscitated as a result of the intervention of the SALWACO management. He cited the One Hundred (100) Solar Powered Boreholes Project as another success story which was revived. He added that the Five (5) Million Dollar ($5,000,000) grant by the Saudi Fund which will target fourteen (14) districts is another milestone achievement.
DMD Harvey advanced that the fact that the Government of President Bio is now using its finances to support the water sector, was also another laudable approach, stating that places like Kambia, Kailahun, Magburaka, Pujehun, Moyamba, Kabala will soon have safe drinking water under the Six Towns Water Supply Project. He also touched on the Bonthe Water Supply Project as another positive news in the water sector. He noted that there was also now a continuation of water supply and an improvement on the number of hours; from 5 hours then to 8/10 hours at present.
DDM Harvey ended by calling on Government, through the Ministry of Finance, Development and Donor Partners and the Ministry of Water Resources for the provision of more institutional support in achieving the aims and aspirations of SALWACO. He said that such support could help to address issues of capacity building in the water sector, recruitment of more technical staff, investments and human resource opportunities, increment of welfare and conditions of service, support for monitoring and evaluation, institutional equipment/Geo-Tech and drilling equipment among others. He commended the staff and management of the company to continue to give support to the MD so that SALWACO will work towards achieving the aspirations that President Bio place in the water sector in Sierra Leone.
