Bintu Water Company Summoned for Unlicensed Operations
By Benjamin S Conteh
The Committee of Water Resources summoned Bintu Water Company to the Parliament Administrative Building on February 28, 2025. The purpose of the hearing was for Bintu Water Company, a sachet water manufacturer based in Kenema, to clarify allegations brought against it. The allegations included operating without registration from the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), failing to pay electricity bills, and other related issues.
A representative of Bintu Water Company stated that the company began operations in October 2024 without the necessary registration, license, or factory labor certificate from the Ministry of Labour. Additionally, they lacked a certificate from the Ministry of Water Resources. Despite these missing documents, they proceeded with water manufacturing, citing the unavailability of EWRC registration forms in Kenema at the time. He explained that EWRC had instructed them to wait until January 2025 when the registration forms would be available.
He further mentioned that both the Standards Bureau and the Ministry of Health had inspected their equipment and issued certificates confirming that their machines were safe for producing pure water. Addressing the electricity bill allegations, the representative stated that when they first started operations, they used an EDSA prepaid meter, which later malfunctioned. Upon reporting the issue, EDSA sent a staff member to inspect the meter but informed them that no replacement meters were available at the time. As a temporary solution, EDSA placed them on a monthly payment agreement. The company complied with the agreement, paying NLe 400 for electricity in October and NLe 200 per month from November onward. Eventually, EDSA replaced the faulty meter with a new one.
A representative from EWRC outlined the procedures required to legally operate a water company. He emphasized that obtaining a license before starting operations is mandatory. The license includes several essential documents, such as: A certification from the Standards Bureau verifying that the equipment is suitable for water production. A certificate from the Ministry of Health confirming that company staff have undergone medical checks. A business license registration. “You must gather all these documents and submit them to EWRC for registration,” he stated.
He further explained that new companies are advised to seek assistance from the Water Company Union to facilitate the process. Once all necessary documents are collected, they must be submitted to EWRC for verification. Another critical requirement is a water quality test, which must be renewed every six months. Additionally, EWRC must inspect the factory to ensure it meets required standards before issuing a license. “If you operate without a license, EWRC has the authority to shut down the factory and impose a fine of NLe 50,000 (Le 50 million in old notes),” he warned.
The chairman of the committee, Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara, representing Kambia District, stressed the importance of obtaining a certificate from the Ministry of Water Resources and securing an agreement with SALWACO or GUMA Valley.
“It is crucial to have an agreement with SALWACO or GUMA Valley to supply water. There are only three sources from which water can be obtained for production: SALWACO, GUMA Valley, or a borehole. Without proof of such an agreement, there is a risk that even gutter water could be used for packaging,” he cautioned.
He explained that agreements with SALWACO or GUMA Valley ensure access to water that meets at least basic standards, which manufacturers can further purify. Honourable Kamara also emphasized the importance of joining the Water Union, noting that EWRC lacks the manpower to monitor all water companies in Sierra Leone. Currently, fewer than ten EWRC staff members are assigned to the water department. Because of this limitation, EWRC has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Water Union to help oversee water companies.
Due to the controversies surrounding Bintu Water Company, Honourable Kamara announced that the Committee of Water Resources would conduct an unannounced spot check at the factory, with journalists invited for media coverage. However, he did not disclose the date of the inspection.
He urged Bintu Water Company to expedite its registration process to ensure smooth operations. While he expressed understanding of the company’s challenges, he decided not to shut down the factory immediately to avoid disrupting the livelihoods of those employed there. Nevertheless, he advised Bintu Water Company to engage with the Water Union and work with EWRC to resolve the issues promptly.
