World Bank Announces Good News about Bumbuna Dam

News Release, Freetown, October 24 2011:  Task team leader of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Environmental and social Management project, Waqar Haider, has disclosed that the Bumbuna Dam, recently assessed by a Dam Safety Review Panel, has been found to be safe and compliant with international best practice and standards.

Announcing the good news at a meeting on Monday with Professor Ogunlade Davidson and senior staff members of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Waqar Haider called on the Energy Ministry to step up vigilance in complying with dam safety standards and communicating the impressive gains achieved by the Bumbuna Project.

Responding, Minister Davidson commended the Bumbuna PMU headed by Dr. Abdul Jalloh and the World Bank team for their due diligence in ensuring the safety of the dam and other gains associated with the dam that has been achieved so far. Minister Davidson also pledged his ministry and staff support to the ongoing mission which is expected to end on November 4.

Waqar Haider is leading a high powered multi-project World Bank delegation from Washington, Ghana, and Freetown to follow up on outstanding managerial and operational issues relating to four World Bank funded projects, namely, the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Environmental and Social Management Project managed by the Energy Ministry, the Biodiversity project and Wetlands Management Project managed by the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Rapid Response Growth Poles (HABOPE) Project managed by the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA). Resettlement issues for project affected persons will also be looked at by the team.

The team is scheduled to meet with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, Forestry Division, NaCSA, and project stakeholders in the Bumbuna Conservation Area.