Expanded Babadorie Facility Boosts Storage, Improves Water Security for 90,000 Residents
By Sallieu S. Kanu
Regent, Freetown – July 20, 2026 – A high-level African Development Bank (AfDB) delegation led by Dr. Abdul Kamara, Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, has commended Sierra Leone’s progress on the Freetown Water Supply and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project (WASHAERP) during an inspection of the Babadorie Raw Water Storage Facility at Regent.
The visit showcased the successful rehabilitation and expansion of ageing water infrastructure, which has increased raw water storage capacity from 60,000 to 132,000 cubic metres. The project, financed by AfDB at a cost of over US$7 million, now provides a more reliable supply to an estimated 90,000 residents in mountain communities long plagued by dry-season shortages.
Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company, Ing. Mariwan Kallon, described the project as “transformative,” noting its impact on sanitation, public health, and livelihoods. “Your presence here today demonstrates the African Development Bank’s commitment to improving the lives of our people,” he told the delegation.
Dr. Kamara praised the quality of work and reaffirmed AfDB’s commitment to Sierra Leone’s water sector. “Water is life. Access to safe water is a basic human right, and I am very pleased to witness the significant progress made under this project,” he said. He added that while storage capacity has been expanded, further investment in treatment facilities will be needed to maximize benefits.
Community leaders, including Regent Village Headman Joseph Bangura and Councillor Mendi Bangura, hailed the project as life-changing. They recalled years of hardship when women and children walked long distances for water, often facing outbreaks of cholera and diarrhoea. “Today we are witnessing a project that gives us hope for a healthier and better future,” Councillor Bangura said.
The Babadorie facility is a flagship component of WASHAERP, which also includes rehabilitation of pipelines and distribution systems to strengthen water security across the Western Area. Officials say the expanded storage will significantly reduce dry-season rationing, supporting the government’s broader agenda of improving public health and sustainable water access.