MINSTRY OF WATER RESOURCES AND SANITATION (MWRS)

The Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) was established in January 2013 mandated to:

• Provide WASH sector leadership
  

• Formulate policies, regulations and standards for the WASH sector
  

• Ensure that the population is provided with adequate and reliable potable water supply, Sanitation and hygiene

• Ensure that the country’s water resources are properly managed

• Engender collaboration and corporation amongst WASH Sector Stakeholders
  

VISION

To ensure climate resilient and sustainable water resources and environmental sanitation for all.

MISSION

To formulate and implement policies, regulations, plans and programmes for the sustainable management of the nation’s water resources, provision of accessible, affordable, adequate, safe water and environmental sanitation services for the well-being of all.

The Ministry provides oversight to the following institutions:

• Guma Valley Water Company which is responsible for the provision of water supply services to inhabitants of the Western Area (Urban and Rural)

• Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO)  responsible to develop and operate water supply services at reasonable cost and on self-supporting basis in all provincial cities, district headquarter towns, and facilitate the provision of safe water and sanitation services in rural communities and small towns.

• National Water Resources Management Agency which is responsible to regulate, utilize, protect, conserve, control and generally manage water resources throughout Sierra Leone.

• Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission  which regulates the provision of highest quality of electricity and water to consumers in Sierra Leone.

POLICY OBJECTIVES

The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation policy objectives are as follows:

• The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation aims to integrate and effectively manage all water resources and sanitations in Sierra Leone so as to significantly contribute to the reduction of poverty through increased access to potable water and sanitation services for domestic, commercial, industrial and other uses. These goals are aligned with the Big Five Game Changer in the Government’s Manifesto of 2023.

• This strategic objective is in line with Goal 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that should be achieved by 2030:

• Increase national access for Water from 76% to 78% in 2024

• Improving water services brings good sanitation and better hygiene practices leading to better life.
  

STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY

The New Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has three Divisions as follows:

I. Administrative Division

This division manages the Ministry's resources and programs, providing leadership and facilitating policy formulation and implementation in the sector.

II. The Water Directorate

The Water Directorate provides support for improved access to safe and sustainable water supply, sanitation operations and maintenance. The Directorate undertakes programmes to ensure sustainable, equitable and integrated water resources management through the following units:

• Water Resources Management Unit;

• Urban Water and Sewage Unit;

• Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Unit;

• Policy Planning and Research Unit;

• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Information Management Unit.

III. The Sanitation Directorate

The Sanitation Department/Directorate is the newest in the Ministry. The transfer of this Directorate and its mandate from the Ministry of Health is currently in transition.

The Minister is the Political Head of the Ministry assisted by a Deputy Minister. The Administrative Head is the Permanent Secretary and the Professional Head is the Director of Water Resources.

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Tower Hill, Freetown
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