The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation has officially handed over land title documents to eleven (11) Project Affected Persons (PAPs) whose properties were impacted during the implementation of the Angola Town Water Supply Project.
The ceremony took place on Thursday (12/3/26) at the offices of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in Freetown and marked an important milestone in the resettlement and compensation process linked to the Angola Town Water Supply System. The project was implemented by the Guma Valley Water Company under the Freetown WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project (WASHAERP).
Welcoming participants to the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Alie Bakarr Conteh, highlighted the significance of the event as a demonstration of government’s commitment to responsible project implementation and fair compensation for citizens affected by development initiatives.
Providing an overview of the project, the Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company, Ing. Mariwan Kallon, explained that the Angola Town Water Supply Project was conceived by the Government of Sierra Leone to address the growing demand for water in Freetown.
He noted that the Guma Dam, which was constructed in the 1960s to serve a population of about 500,000 people, now faces immense pressure as the population of the capital has grown to nearly two million residents.
“The Angola Town Water Supply System was developed to ensure that residents of Angola Town and surrounding communities have consistent and reliable access to safe drinking water, and it is expected to provide clean and dependable water supply to more than 70,000 residents in communities including Angola Town, Adonkia, Ogoo Farm, Lakka and Hamilton,” he said.
Ing. Kallon emphasized that although infrastructure projects can affect individuals and communities during implementation, the government has taken deliberate steps to ensure that those impacted are fairly treated.
“Because we have a responsible government under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, due diligence has been done to ensure that those affected by the project are properly compensated. Those whose lands were impacted have now been provided with authentic title documents so they can own land again,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Project Affected Persons, PAP representative Musa Turay expressed appreciation to the Government and implementing agencies for reaching what he described as a significant stage in the resettlement process.
“On behalf of the PAPs, I want to thank the Ministry and the Guma Valley Water Company for the efforts made to reach this point in the resettlement process,” he said.
He however appealed to authorities to expedite the processing of land allocations for the remaining 18 affected persons and requested assurances that those relocated to Mile 6 would not face future displacement.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Hannah Isatta Sao-Kpato Macarthy, emphasized that land issues are highly sensitive and must always be handled with fairness and respect for people’s rights.
“Anything that has to do with land is very sensitive. Land remains one of the most valuable assets in our society, and as a government we understand the importance of protecting people’s rights,” she stated.
The Minister explained that the relocation process was carried out in line with government’s commitment to human rights and sustainable environmental management, particularly the protection of the Western Area Peninsula water catchment areas.
“The Western Area Peninsula National Park is the main source of the water supplied to Freetown by Guma. While government may need to relocate people for development purposes, we must always do so with a human face and ensure that their rights are respected,” she said.
She assured beneficiaries that the government remains committed to resolving all outstanding resettlement matters.
“Government is committed to ensuring that all PAPs who lost their lands will be given land again, though in another location. Today we are presenting titles to 11 of you, and when the remaining titles are ready, the others will also be called to receive theirs. This government believes in ‘talk and do,’” the Minister affirmed.
She also reassured beneficiaries that the land allocated at Mile 6 would become increasingly valuable as urban development continues to expand outward from Freetown.
Among dignitaries present at the ceremony were the Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Ing. Alpha Kallon; Board Member of the Guma Valley Water Company, Lucretia Sheriff; Deputy Managing Director of the Guma Valley Water Company, Prince Moore-Sourie; as well as directors and staff of the ministry and the water utility.
The ceremony highlighted the Government of Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to expanding access to safe and reliable water while ensuring that citizens affected by development projects are treated with fairness and dignity.
Credit – Guma Communication Unit
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 18th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
