By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, Daily Scope
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, has reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to sustainable water resource management during a sensitization meeting on the establishment of the Mano River Union (MRU) Transboundary Water Basins Management Office (TWBMO).
In her keynote address, Minister Barlay commended the MRU Secretariat for convening the forum, emphasizing that water is not only a vital natural resource but also central to life, livelihoods, and development. She noted that while water sustains life, its scarcity—exacerbated by climate change—poses a significant threat, particularly to pastoralists, farmers, and fishing communities across Africa.
Highlighting the proactive stance taken, the Minister pointed to the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Water Resources and the inclusion of water management priorities in the country’s 2024–2030 Medium-Term National Development Plan. As part of this initiative, the government is expanding irrigation systems to enable year-round cultivation in key agricultural zones. Efforts are also underway to improve water distribution networks in Freetown and other urban areas, promote innovative water and sanitation (WASH) technologies, and build robust monitoring and evaluation systems to guide sectoral activities. Capacity building for water sector professionals and the advancement of hydroelectric dam development are additional priorities. Furthermore, the government is implementing conservation efforts for forests and wetlands to enhance climate resilience, support ecosystems, and ensure sustainable food production.
Minister Barlay emphasized the commitment to regional collaboration, referencing the country’s offer to host the ECOWAS Water Resource Management Centre following Burkina Faso’s expulsion from ECOWAS. This gesture reflects leadership in regional water governance. She called for stronger governance, better policy alignment, and deeper strategic partnerships across the MRU sub-region.
To guide regional efforts toward water security, she outlined four critical focus areas: managing water resources through integrated approaches at both national and transboundary levels; ensuring resilient and inclusive access to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services; utilizing water sustainably for food production and nutritional outcomes; and developing hydropower to expand access to clean and renewable energy.
“Let us come together to ensure water for agriculture, electricity, sanitation, health, and ultimately, for life,” the Minister concluded.
The sensitization meeting is part of the MRU Secretariat’s ongoing collaboration with ECOWAS to establish a regional authority for the integrated and sustainable management of the ten shared river basins in the sub-region. Once operational, the TWBMO will serve as a hub for coordinating efforts to protect vital ecosystems, support community livelihoods, and strengthen climate resilience through effective water governance.
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