By Josephine Lagowo
FREETOWN, Mar. 30 (232news.com) – Members of Parliament on Tuesday March 15th 2022 approved an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Grafton Investment (SL) Limited dated December 2021.
Presenting the bill to Members of Parliament the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara said that the new Grafton investment limited worth US$ 25 million that will benefit farmers because they will have to produce not only water but juice and Alcohol.
Madam Kamara pointed out that the management of the new Grafton investment will incorporate the staff of the former spring water staff. She revealed that the previous owner of Grafton which is Melian Lisk is sick and she was presently in Ghana. She said that this new Grafton Investment will embark on rehabilitation of the buildings and the machines for twelve months before they start operation. She went on to say that the company will be producing water which is 5 mili liter. She however said that 85% of the sachets water that is being produce is substandard and therefore admonished the Standard Bureau to do their work as they are responsible for the livelihood for the people. Water, she said is critical and essential and should be looked into.
The Deputy Chairman for Parliamentary Trade and Industry Committee Hon Charles Abdulai said the previous Grafton was closed due to bankruptcy and pointed out that agreement has a lot of benefits as they will be employing the previous staff of the Grafton Spring Water Company. He went on to note that the company will be adhering to the tenets of local content policy in employing Sierra Leoneans. He said the company will have to buy its own raw materials to produce the water, juice and Alcohol. This he said will be of benefit to the government.
Hon Marah said when he spoke to the Director of Health and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation said that 60%these water companies are giving out what he termed human Feaces. EWRC is the problem as they are not closing those water companies that do not meet the criteria. He therefore said that he will engage the Leader of Government business to call on the Minister of Water resources. In rounding up, the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Abass Bundu said they cannot allow these water company to be producing water that will lead to people being infected with Malaria and Typhoid. Hon Marah also noted that the Grafton intrapex over the years have been producing a nice brand of water but of late they have not been producing good water. He maintained that water business should not be treated lightly and called on the Standard Bureau and EWRC to take their job seriously. Dr. Bundu then called on the committee to summon all water companies to meet with the leadership of parliament. Hon Chernor Bah endorsed the ratification of this agreement. The Acting Leader of Government Business Hon Bashiru Silikie said they are in support for the leadership to hold a joint meeting and to summon all producers of water company to a meeting in parliament.
