The Commissioner of NaCSA, Abu Bockarie Kokofele has turned sod for the construction of borehole pumps in Bradford in the Rebi Chiefdom, Sembehun Nancy Tucker in the Bagruwa chiefdom and Kholifa Mabang in the Tonkolili District respectively.
Speaking to a galaxy of traditional leaders, law makers, civil society representatives, Staff of NaCSA, Journalists and residents of the three chiefdoms, Commissioner Kokofele pointed out that “the sierra Leone Driven Development project is one of the products of the long standing bilateral relationship between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Islamic community. The borehole project implemented through the Sierra Leone Community Driven Development project (SLCDD II) is in fulfillment of the numerous promises made to the people of Sierra Leone, by the New Direction Government. He further noted that “President Bio is a listening president; he knows the challenges and needs of the people, he is therefore determined to provide a permanent solution to some of these challenges and certainly, the water project is one of those solutions.”
In explaining his Ministry’s mandate and commitment, the Director of water resources, Augustine Tucker stated that one of the mandates of the Ministry of Water Resources is to: formulate and implement policies for the development and management of water resources, in order to ensure all communities have improved access to safe drinking water, in a sustainable manner, for socio-economic development. He added that the Ministry of Water resources is pleased with the strides made by the leadership of NaCSA for providing safe drinking water for the people of Bradford and Sembehun communities.
The Moyamba District Council (MDC) Deputy Chairman – Alfred Banya pleaded with the community representatives and the people to facilitate the speedy construction of these facilities and ensure that they are sustained upon completion. He revealed that irrespective of combining challenges, the Moyamba District Council is committed to the people of Moyamba district. “On behalf of my Council and the people of Moyamba, I extend my sincere appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone, the donor partner and NaCSA. I will assure you that upon completion of these facilities, the community will surely ensure its sustainability.”
Statements from the Honourable Member of Parliament for constituency 095 Mustapha Sellu who also doubles as Chairman for Parliamentary Committee on NGOs and NaCSA, Honourable Member of parliament for constituency 093-Amadu Kanu and Civil Society representatives – Sao-Lamin and Daniel Pewa commended the Bio led government and called on community ownership of the project.
In conclusion, the Project Manager for the SLCDD II, (GIETRENK) Project, Momoh Juana said *‘’the project is focused on reducing poverty, and to achieve this, there are justifications to improve economic opportunities through skills and knowledge. The Major component of the Project is to develop and maintain infrastructure in the rural areas especially in deprived communities.*’’He stressed that the Project component also involves feeder roads development, modern markets and community resource centre, training centre for agriculture and agro processing facility. The project also being implemented in lower Bambara in kenema District, konike sanda and kholifa mabang in the Tonkolili District, Debia Chiefdom in karene District and Bureh kasseh makonte in Port Loko District respectively.
