SLEWRC Holds Handover as Festus Kallay Assumes Office as Director- General
SLEWRC Holds Handover as Festus Kallay Assumes Office as Director- General The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) held a formal leadership transition ceremony on Saturday, 15th November 2025, at its headquarters located at 55 Berwick Street, Freetown, as outgoing Director-General Dr. Emmanuel Mannah handed over to Festus Kallay. Dr. Mannah reflected on institutional growth achieved during his time in office, recalling that he began with five staff and a single office. He stated that under his leadership, SLEWRC expanded into a multi-department regulator with regional offices in Bo, Kenema and Makeni, established a compliance department, modernized its licensing system, developed 19 regulatory instruments, and produced the electricity and water Codes. He also highlighted the passage of the SLEWRC Act 2025 and reported revenue growth from approximately Nle 400.000 to about 4.5 Million Leones generated through levies, licences fees, penalties and government supports. Dr. Mannah urged continued attention on levy compliance and staff remuneration harmonization. Festus Kallay, a finance and administrative professional with more than 18 years experience in the public sectors, pledged to build on the foundations laid by his predecessor. In his first public statement as Director- General, Mr. Kallay said his immediate priorities will include operational efficiency, resource mobilization, strengthening ICT systems, and improving levy compliance to ensure the Commission’s sustainability and effectiveness. He emphasized transparency, accountability and improved service outcomes for consumers as guiding principles for the Commission’s work. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao Kpato Hannah Max- Kyne, called for close collaboration between the Ministry, SLEWRC, and the advisory board to balance technical regulation with political guidance and to accelerate sector progress. Ing. Philip Karimu Lansana, representing the Board stressed that all entities producing water and electricity must be certified and comply with regulatory standards and pledged the Board’s full support to the new Director- General. Stakeholders at the event urged staff to remain united in advancing policy implementation, addressing challenges such as levy compliance, staff remuneration, and consolidating institutional gains. Both outgoing and incoming Director-Generals expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Board, Management, Staff, and development partners for their support. In conclusion, the handover signals a transition aimed at institutional consolidation and enhanced regulatory oversight as SLEWRC continues its mandate to ensure reliable, affordable, and safe electricity and water services for all Sierra Leoneans.
APPROVED TARIFF BY SIERRA LEONE ELECTRICITY AND WATER REGULATORY COMMISSION
This tariff structure was resolved at the board meeting on 26th September 2023 in the fulfillment of the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission Act 2011, Section 45(1) VIEW DOCUMENT
SLEWRC Engages Bottled Water Companies on Compliance and Regulatory Framework
In an effort to improve the regulation and quality of bottled water companies in the country, the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) has engaged key stakeholders of the bottled water industry on compliance and the Commission’s regulatory framework. The meeting, which took place on the 7th of August 2024 in the Commission’s headquarters at Berwick Street, focused on several key areas relating to the water sector industry, ranging from the importance of market regulation to ensure quality and sustainability to growing concerns about water quality standards and best practices. Dr. Mannah, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) noted that there has been a significant growth in the bottled water sector, hence the need to regulate water quality and quantity. The Director General spoke about the importance of competition, market entry, and the stringent licensing processes. He also talked about compliance measures and the expectation from businesses to uphold the Commission’s regulatory standards in order to avoid penalties. He further dilated on the importance of labeling and batching to combat issues such as expiration dates, water quality, shelf life, and fake products. On his part, the Deputy Director General, Sama I. Sandy, remarked that the Commission has been monitoring the growth of the bottled water market, and is therefore eager to see these businesses expand beyond Sierra Leone. He explained the Government’s role in ensuring products standards and best practices. Mr. Sandy pointed out that the Commission’s engagement with industry stakeholders is geared towards understanding the challenges they face and providing the necessary support. He admonished the water companies to expedite the licensing process before the end of the month, and explained the importance of implementing strict labeling and batching requirements for water products starting next year in order to ensure compliance including EWRC’s registration number, production date, and expiration date. Mrs. Desireemarg B. Augustine, the head of Legal and Compliance informed water producers that established companies are familiar with the licensing process, while new entrants must obtain a license from the Commission. She expressed the importance of following licensing processes and criteria and compliance measures to avoid punitive actions. Water Engineer, Arnold Williams, outlined the parameters and processes required for applying for licenses from the Commission. In response to concerns raised by the Water Companies regarding the Union, the Union Representative explained the importance of union legislation, and the challenges posed by multiple regulatory bodies. He expressed the Union’s legitimacy and its role in effectively representing all water companies, The meeting ended with the EWRC officials reiterating their commitment to supporting water companies in meeting regulatory requirements while promoting public health and safety.