National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA)
Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC)
Update on the Burst GVWC Pipe at Mambo
Date: 15th January 2026
The repair works on the damaged GVWC transmission pipe at Mambo have been successfully completed, and the normal supply of water to Freetown has now been fully reinstated.
Following the demolition exercise carried out yesterday at Mambo, where houses were illegally constructed directly on top of a major GVWC transmission pipe, resulting in extensive damage and the loss of a significant volume of treated water, debris excavation works were undertaken. The exact section of the damaged pipe was identified, repaired, and restored to full functionality.
Photos accompanying this update clearly shows that the affected pipe was buried approximately three (3) feet beneath the building. The extensive and heavy concrete works that were undertaken to construct the two-storey structure directly above the pipeline caused the damage. This incident shows the extent to which people can go to compromise critical public service delivery infrastructure for personal convenience.
The NDMA and the GVWC will continue to explore and implement sustained measures to demolish all illegal structures built on or near this main water supply pipeline to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents.
Directorate of Communications
NDMA
