Being an Act to provide for the equitable, beneficial, efficient, and sustainable use and management of the country’s water resources; to establish a National Water Resources Management Agency; to provide a Water Basin Management Board and Water Catchment Area Management Committees for the management of the water resources and for other related matters.
Here are the key points of The National Water Resources Management Agency Act, 2017: Purpose and Scope: The Act aims to ensure the equitable, beneficial, efficient, and sustainable use and management of Sierra Leone’s water resources. It establishes the National Water Resources Management Agency to oversee water resource management. Definitions: The Act provides definitions for various terms related to water resources, management, and governance structures, ensuring clarity and consistency in its implementation. National Water Resources Management Agency: The Act establishes the National Water Resources Management Agency as the body responsible for controlling water resources in a sustainable manner. It outlines the agency’s functions, including the adoption of natural river basin and aquifer boundaries for water resource management. Basin Management: The Act emphasizes the importance of adopting natural river basin and aquifer boundaries as the basic units of water resource management. It also establishes Water Basin Management Boards and Water Catchment Area Management Committees for effective management at the local level. Beneficial Use and Protection: The Act defines “beneficial use” of water and emphasizes the protection of water resources to ensure sustainability and the protection of aquatic systems. It also introduces the polluter-pays principle to hold responsible parties accountable for water pollution. Integrated Water Resources Management: The Act promotes the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), which advocate for the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare while ensuring sustainability. Water Resource Preservation: The Act designates protected catchment areas to preserve water resources and establishes reserves to meet basic human needs and maintain significant environmental services. Regulation and Enforcement: The Act likely includes provisions for the regulation and enforcement of water resource management, including the issuance of water permits, monitoring of water quality, and penalties for violations. Financial Provisions: The Act may establish a National Water Resources Management Fund to support the agency’s activities, ensuring adequate funding for sustainable water resource management. Overall, The National Water Resources Management Agency Act, 2017 establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management of Sierra Leone’s water resources, with a focus on equitable use, environmental protection, and effective governance at both national and local levels.
