By: Sheku Putka Kamara
Sierra Leone’s Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) has announced the setting up of new tariff standards for sachet water. In a press release issued on Thursday 28th September, 2023, the Commission said that it convened a consultative meeting with the Water Union on Friday 22nd September, 2023 to address the ‘pressing matter of tariff adjustments for sachet water.’
The release furthered that the objective of the meeting was to unveil the Commission’s decision regarding the tariff review requested by the Water Union which is said to have aimed at achieving a ‘fair balance between industry sustainability and consumer affordability.’
The SLEWRC release continued that the Economic Regulations Department of the Commission, responsible for ‘meticulously scrutinizing all tariff processes’ presented their findings their findings based on the ‘information provided by the Water Union.’
The new water tariff is as follows:
- Factory price per bundle: Le 7
- Distributors (vehicle sale): Le 8
- Retail price: Le 9
The release noted that ‘it was imperative for all sachet water producers to adhere to the prescribed standard prices.’ It said that ‘non-compliance with the standards may result in punitive measures, including fines not less than Le 50,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, as stipulated in the 2011 Act of the Commission.’
