Sierra Leone water agencies outline FY2027 budget priorities

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) have outlined their strategic priorities and budget requirements for Fiscal Year 2027 during bilateral discussions with the Ministry of Finance in Freetown.

Allieu Bakarr Conteh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasized goals to improve household sanitation, hygiene practices, and water conservation. He requested a review of current budget ceilings to ensure the ministry can effectively fulfill its mandate of providing safe water and environmental sanitation services.

SALWACO’s proposed 2027 budget focuses on financial discipline, revenue recovery, and service delivery. Deputy Managing Director Dr. Albert Harrison Harvey reported a proposed recurrent ceiling of NLe 4.5131 billion and a revenue generation target of NLe 17.698 million. To support its 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan, the agency requires US$13.707 million for asset modernization and system upgrades, aiming to address recent financial losses and improve public accountability.