Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday, 24 July 2025, debated and unanimously passed into law, with some amendments, the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission Act 2025.
Key provisions in the Act included the establishment of a regulatory framework for the electricity and water sectors, outlining roles, responsibilities, and boundaries to avoid conflicts among agencies.
It also provides for consumer protection, including a consumer complaint unit to address concerns and ensure better performance, and the commission is expected to present an annual tariff report to Parliament for review and consideration.
This Act regulates electricity, water, and sanitation services in Sierra Leone, aiming to improve service delivery.
Presenting the Bill, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah, told Members of Parliament that the document is divided into fourteen parts. The Minister disclosed that the Bill aims at improving and providing adequate service to the people of Sierra Leone.
In his contribution to the debate, the Chairman of the Water Resources Committee, who also doubles as the Whip of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Water Resources’ treatment of the Water Resources Committee and suggested splitting the two institutions for effective functioning. The MP called for a healthy relationship between Parliament and the Ministry and proper monitoring of facilities and companies that produce water.
Hon. Kekura Vandi emphasized the need for different departments, including generation and distribution, to ensure efficient service delivery. He encouraged his colleague MPs to critically look at the Bill before its passage into law.
Hon. Musa Fofana urged Ministries, departments, and agencies to respect Parliament to have a harmonious working relationship that would strengthen national development. Implementation of the law, he noted, would yield dividends.
Deputy Leader 2 of the Opposition, Hon. Aaron Koroma, highlighted the importance of managing plastic waste and spoke about concerns on fire incidents related to electricity and the management of plastic waste.
Rounding up the debate, the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, stressed the need for clear roles, responsibilities, and boundaries within the commission to avoid conflicts. He suggested the conduct of robust parliamentary oversight in that direction to ensure performance, avoid political interference, and promote national interest in service delivery.
Concluding, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, acknowledged the commitments of the government to making progressive laws geared towards development. He assured colleagues, Members of Parliament, that issues and concerns raised would be looked into during the passage. He assured that the Ministry would consider tabling an annual tariff report to Parliament.
Finally, the Minister assured that concerns raised by Members would be addressed, and the ministry would strengthen its relationship with Parliament.
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