The conference started this Wednesday 12th December 2007 and will end on Friday 14th December 2007.
 
The Conference features both international and local experts in Marine and Fresh Water management.
 
It is said that some of the most shocking facts about the world today are about water and its resources.
 
The chairman of the Foundation for the Development of Sierra Leone {FDSL} Dr Saa Kabuta says water plays a key role in poverty and development issues. Shortages of clean water lead to health problems and even death. Everyday, 5000 children die from a lack of clean water and bad sanitation. Over a billion people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water and over 2.6 billion people lack the most basic sanitary provisions.
 
He said the social and economic repercussions of water are enormous adding that 2.8 billion People (35% of the world population) are expected to face shortages of freshwater by the year 2025. But, he said half of the world’s major cities are within 50 kilometers of the cost and coastal population densities are 2.6 times greater than those in inland areas.
 
As coastal populations increase, debates, disputes and dilemma over marine and freshwater use become more frequent and intense.
 
Speaking on Sierra Leone about marine and fresh water, he said the country has an EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of over 50,000 sq. ml, with a coastline of 485km. the costal waters are nutrient-rich and with high productive supplies of fish, lobsters, shrimps and shark capable of providing sufficient income for marine fisheries and related industries.
 
He disclosed that the country has a well-organised fishing fleet for deep-sea resources which according to him would be a good earner for foreign trade.
 
Dr. Saa Kabuta further said that the potential annual yield of the country fisheries resources alone is estimated at around 2000,000 metric tones annually which is about 40 million Euros (60,000 mt = 12 million Euros).
 
The chairman said the water transport particularly in remote areas where it may not be cost effective to construct bridges is highly significant in communities residing tin tidal areas; on island; on the opposite side of rivers etc.
 
In the Walla area and most villages along creeks, water transport is the only viable option available to communities sometimes on a daily basis. Water transport of logs is anticipated by Timber Companies proposing to operate in the Bagruwa and other chiefdoms.
 
Shipping services on the rivers and on the high seas do not only provide employment facilities but also provide relatively cheap goods because of the relatively low transport charges levied. Ferry services between Freetown and Lungi could be a substantial revenue earner but these have to be properly managed. Commuting between Bonthe Island and the mainland on a periodic basis remains a very important social, economic and traditional event as can be confirmed by workers posted to the area.
 
The communities in these areas have strong cultural links to the wetlands. The popular ferry excursions in the late 70s to mid 80s were important recreational activities that should be re-introduced to make a substantial contribution to the economy of the country.
 
It could be recalled that the civil war in Sierra Leone caused tremendous damage to the above resources and the economic and social infrastructure of the country. This has inflicted extensive suffering on the population. Economic activity shrank, contributing to a collapse in the fiscal revenue.
 
The strategy of supporting the Government’s program under the emergency post-conflict assistance policy was predicated upon the need to rebuild Sierra Leone’s administrative and institutional capacity, which was disrupted by the civil war. The proposed development program provide time for the authorities to rebuild their capacity and to re-establish adequate security and pave the way for a more comprehensive program of reforms that is supported under the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility.
 
The loss of tacit and explicit knowledge on Marine and Fresh Water resources during the war is devastating. Experienced national experts fled the country because of the war. The knowledge and institutional infrastructure including research, information management and libraries were destroyed.
 
The Government of Sierra Leone recognizes the need for relevant information and data required for the proper planning and development of various sectors of the economy. However, as a post-conflict economy, the availability of necessary resources and technical expertise required to study and update the data and information on the nation’s water resources will continue to be a major challenge. External input in these areas is therefore inevitable.
 
A non-governmental organisation based in The Netherlands, The Foundation for the Development of Sierra Leone (FDSL) is making the initial attempt to draw up an overview of priority issues in the proper management and exploitation of the Marine and Fresh water resources of Sierra Leone (estimated at over Euro 100 million per year.

Keywords:  sierra_leone water