Freetown, 10th February 2026 – The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, Professor Andrew Baio, has vowed to end the campus’s chronic water crisis following his inspection of the Gloucester Dam restoration project on February 9, 2026.
Professor Baio, who assumed office in October 2025, made reliable water access his first priority. His initial visit to the dam revealed years of neglect: the reservoir was clogged with mud and solid waste, its protective zone encroached upon by vegetable gardens, and unauthorized buildings erected nearby. “This was a situation of total neglect over the years,” he remarked.
Since then, the college administration has mobilized a team to clear the dam of accumulated debris. Significant progress has been made, with silt and waste removed and placed along the dam’s walls. The deterioration of the dam had left staff quarters, student hostels, and office buildings grappling with severe shortages, forcing many to buy water from vendors at high cost, with serious health and financial consequences.
Professor Baio is now working closely with the FBC Estate Department to secure a permanent solution. Plans include raising the height of the dam walls to expand storage capacity. Engineers have been engaged to provide technical advice for the upgrade. “We intend to increase the height of the dam walls to significantly boost its storage capacity,” he explained.
The restoration project marks a decisive step toward improving living and learning conditions at FBC, with the Deputy Vice Chancellor’s intervention signaling a new era of accountability and action.
This report is based on information provided by Dr. Tonya Musa, Director of Communication and International Relations, University of Sierra Leone.
