The Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC), has entered a new chapter in its institutional journey with the formal handover of the Managing Directorship at a ceremony held at the company’s Head Office in Freetown on Wednesday 12th November 2025.

The event, attended by the Honorable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, alongside the Chairman and Members of the Board of Directors, senior Management staff, marked a symbolic moment of continuity and renewal within one of the nation’s most vital public service institutions.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ing. David Karim Fonnie, described the handover as “a moment for reflection and reaffirmation of purpose,” commending both the outgoing and incoming Managing Directors for their dedication to Guma’s mission of providing safe, reliable and sustainable water supply to the people of Freetown and the Western Area.

“The Guma Valley Water Company is not just a public utility; it is a lifeline for the people of Freetown,” he said. “Our task today is to ensure that this transition is peaceful, professional and beneficial to the institution as a whole.”

The Chairman highlighted major achievements under the leadership of Outgoing Managing Director, Ing. Maada S. Kpenge, including increased revenue, extended service hours and critical infrastructure upgrades such as the rehabilitation of the Kongo Dam, completion of the Angola Water Supply System and near-finalization of the Allen Town project.

Reflecting on his 13-year tenure, Ing. Maada S. Kpenge expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, recalling his journey from Deputy Managing Director for Commercial Services in 2012 to leading the company through some of its most transformative years.

“Guma Valley holds a very special place in my heart,” he said. “The foundation we have built together is strong and it is my hope that my successor will continue to build upon it.”

He credited teamwork for the company’s turnaround, noting that annual revenue rose from 2 billion old Leones to over 100 billion old Leones, driven by operational efficiency and thanked the Government, Ministry, Board and development partners such as the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for their support.

“This is a handover, but the work continues,” he added. “The true measure of success will be how well Guma turns infrastructure into service and service into satisfaction for our customers.”

Taking the podium, Incoming Managing Director, Ing. Mariwan Kallon, expressed deep appreciation to His Excellency the President, the Honourable Minister and the Board for their confidence and guidance, describing the occasion as “not merely a change in leadership but a continuation of progress.”

“This is a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to serve the people of the Western Area” he said.

“When we work together as one team, we can deliver better services, expand our coverage and restore Guma’s reputation as a pillar of national development.”

Ing. Mariwan Kallon pledged to lead with professionalism, accountability and teamwork, calling for unity across all levels of the institution and praying for divine guidance to help realize Guma’s vision of delivering quality water to every household in the Western Area.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy commended both the outgoing and incoming Managing Directors for their professionalism and dedication, describing the transition as “a moment of institutional maturity.”

“Guma is built on strong foundations,” she noted. “It will not disintegrate simply because of a change in leadership. The structures are in place, guided by law and policy, to ensure continuity and stability.”

She emphasized that leadership transitions in public service signify renewal, not disruption and assured the gathering that His Excellency’s appointment of new leadership followed careful consideration of competence and experience.

Addressing the new Managing Director directly, the Minister described the role as “complex but rewarding,” noting with humor that it requires “balancing the expectations of the Ministry, the Board and Management, it’s like managing a polygamous marriage.”

She urged the company to focus on completing and commissioning ongoing water supply projects to demonstrate tangible results and visible progress in service delivery.

The ceremony ended on a note of optimism and shared responsibility. With the outgoing Managing Director departing on a high note and his successor pledging collaboration and transparency, Guma Valley Water Company stands poised for a new era of growth, efficiency and public service excellence.

As the Minister aptly concluded; “Let this transition mark the beginning of a new page in Guma’s story; one of collaboration, transparency and measurable impact.” https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/new-leadership-at-guma-valley-ing-mariwan-kallon-takes-the-helm/