By George M.O. Williams
The newly appointed Director General of the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA), Ing. Pierre Palmer, has launched his tenure with a bold 100-day operational plan designed to improve efficiency and strengthen water governance across Sierra Leone.
Ing. Palmer began his leadership by conducting a comprehensive institutional assessment. During a strategic meeting with directors and departmental managers, he reviewed the handover report from his predecessor and initiated a broader diagnostic exercise. Each department presented its ongoing operations, current activities, and technical or administrative challenges, creating a clear picture of the Agency’s strengths and gaps.
The engagement, described by participants as a solution-driven process, produced a set of recommendations categorized into short-, medium-, and long-term priorities to guide the Agency’s future actions.
Focus on “Low-Hanging Fruits”
From the short-term priorities, Ing. Palmer identified a series of “low-hanging fruits” — practical and achievable interventions that will define the first 100 days of his tenure. According to management, these early targets are intended to fast-track internal reforms and deliver quick, visible improvements.
Strengthening Core Structures
The 100-day plan also emphasizes strengthening the Agency’s core operational structures to ensure alignment with prevailing sector realities. Key areas of focus include:
- Enhancing technical capacity
- Streamlining administrative procedures
- Improving internal coordination
Renewed Confidence in Direction
Departmental representatives welcomed the diagnostic review, noting that it provides a clear roadmap for progress. They emphasized that the process has fostered renewed confidence in the Agency’s strategic direction and its commitment to effective public spending.