The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission on Friday 11th March 2022 held a compliance training workshop for sachet and bottled water producers at the Sidami Memorial Hall at New Gerihun Road in Bo city to ensure safety practices by the producers.
The delegation from the SLEWRC was led by the Director-General, Dr. Emmanuel Mannah who, in his opening statement, stated that the purpose of the compliance training was as a result of the unacceptable practices of water producers in the industry. He expressed the hope that the training would aid producers to grasp full knowledge on the appropriate and acceptable practices that would be safe and fit for consumption.
The Director-General further mentioned that factories operating without the SLEWRC license were not qualified to produce water and circulate it for consumption. Dr. Mannah thanked representatives from the various agencies, institutions, and specifically the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Water for their commitment and reliable support.
A brief background of the Commission and its operational pillars (quality, market-entry, and tariff or rate setting) was then given by the Acting Deputy Director-General. He stated that the Commission is mandated to ensure that operators and producers provide services or products that are of the highest quality for consumption, adding that the Commission sets rates and tariffs for entities in the regulated electricity and water industries and also provides an open platform for individuals or investors who wish to engage in either electricity or water service businesses.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Standard Bureau, SALWACO, and WASH, also made statements on their role in the sachet and bottled water production process.
The training workshop was chaired by Commissioner Juana P. Moiwo who commended the Director-General and team for their relentless effort in ensuring that the lives of Sierra Leoneans are protected against water-borne diseases.
Representatives
