Bonthe District Hosts Water Safety Plan Workshop to Improve Access to Safe Drinking Water.

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Ministry of Health, and the Bonthe District Council jointly organized a two-day Water Safety Plan (WSP) workshop, which took place on February 13-14, 2026, uniting government ministries, health experts, and local authorities under one strategic vision on the Theme: “Strengthening Safe Drinking Water through the Implementation of the Water Safety Plan (WSP) in Bonthe District.”

District officials, public health experts, engineers, school authorities, and partner organizations gathered to map strategies ensuring water safety from source to consumption.

Principal Public Health Superintendent Albert Dove delivered opening remarks on behalf of the District Medical Officer. Safe drinking water remains fundamental to public health, he emphasized. Unsafe water fuels waterborne diseases and related health burdens. Collective action to protect water sources and enforce quality control remains non-negotiable.

“Clean, safe water maintains good health. No clean water means health issues,” Dove stated. He urged participants to engage seriously and contribute meaningfully to the district's Water Safety Plan.

Deputy Chairman Jonathan S. Tucker highlighted Bonthe's unique geographic and financial barriers to WASH program implementation. Water constitutes life itself, he asserted. Kwame Baikrim chiefdom and other areas face severe deprivation, with dozens of villages lacking functional, reliable water sources.

Tucker appealed directly to the central government and development partners. Increased funding allocations remain critical. High transportation and operational costs hinder remote community access.

“Full support readiness exists. Additional funding ensures even the most remote villages have access to safe, clean drinking water,” Tucker declared.

Principal Public Health Superintendent David Qee presented stark statistics. The 2022 national survey shows Bonthe District achieving only 31 per cent basic water supply service coverage. Sierra Leone's WASH sector ranks among the most underfunded and fragmented nationally. Water, sanitation, and hygiene services intersect critically with health, education, and agriculture.

Ministry prioritization targets deprived districts like Bonthe, Qee assured participants. Knowledge dissemination from this workshop must cascade to community levels.

Assistant Director Patrick Ngaojia detailed the Water Safety Plan framework. This risk management approach ensures water safety from the catchment to the consumption point. Hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation measures, and community-level operation and maintenance systems form core components.

“Public health protection, waterborne disease prevention, and water service reliability improvement constitute primary objectives,” Ngaojia explained. Documentation, record-keeping, and regular monitoring received strong emphasis.

Workshop Day Two featured practical field assessments. Two teams deployed. One team evaluated Mattru UBC Hospital water systems. Another team assessed Centennial Secondary School in Mattru Town, examining supply systems and maintenance procedures.

School-level discussions addressed reservoir-cleaning mechanisms, pump capacity, electricity usage, and the importance of maintenance records. Officials recommended systematic documentation of repairs, equipment specifications, and costs. Accountability and value-for-money principles guided recommendations.

Bonthe District Council, ministry officials, and partners renewed their commitment to scaling the Water Safety Plan across chiefdoms, communities, and schools. Participants affirmed effective collaboration, increased funding, and robust monitoring systems as essential for achieving safe drinking water coverage district-wide. Stakeholder cooperation pledges signal significant progress toward improved water safety and public health outcomes in Bonthe District.

Correspondent: Kadiatu Hassanatu Fofanah

Email: kadiefofanahd92@gmail.com

Tel: +23230059592