The Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministry of Works and Public Assets and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, on Wednesday, 18th September 2024, signed on behalf of the government of Sierra Leone a Financing Agreement with SIETRA Construction Company for the Reconstruction of the Mabang – Moyamba – Gbangbatoke Junction.
The ceremony at the main conference hall of the Ministry of Finance attracted senior government officials, beneficiary community leaders, civil society organisations and senior representatives from the SIERTRA Construction Company.
Acting Financial Secretary Samuel E.B Momoh, who Chaired this signing ceremony, noted the importance of the reconstruction of this road, which he described as critical to the economic development of that part of the country, by easily connecting the Western and southern regions.
The Director General of Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Ing. Alfred Jalil Momodu, said the government of Sierra Leone has made a significant achievement in connecting Communities through the construction of bridges and roads from the Eastern region, Southern region, North and North-Western region.
“To reduce the poor road network, the government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance, assisted in hiring the services of a consultant to do a feasibility study for two thousand kilometres of poor roads in the Country”, he added.
The SLRA DG furthered that since the government did not have the required finances to fund the construction of all the roads, SLRA has moved to an innovative way of financing road construction through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme.
He also said that the agreement is a ten-year agreement, with a construction period of two years, and that the construction will improve farming, fishing, and mining activities in the Moyamba and Bonthe districts.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenya Ballay said that the implementation of this project falls under the Big Five Game Changer of government, which will improve the transport sector and jobs for the youth in Moyamba and surrounding areas.
She continued that this road would attract fast movement of people from Moyamba to Freetown and would bring economic opportunities.
The Minister of Works and Public Assets, Dr Dennis Sandy, said this project is needed to boost the economic activities in Moyamba and other communities.
He praised the construction company and urged them to work within the stipulated time frame.
The CEO of SIETRA Construction Company, Compaore Rasmarie, thanked the government for signing the financing and looks forward to the construction phase.
He promised to deliver the project within the stipulated time frame by assuring the government of their continued support to the country on all developmental activities that will benefit the people of Sierra Leone.
The acting Minister of Finance, Kadiatu Allie, said the financing agreement is one of its kind when presented in the cabinet. She added that it has a grace period and low interest rate that will not be a burden on the government.
The representative from the Civil Society, Charles Mambo, thanked the government for such a good innovation and noted that CSOs have been advocating for the pavements of the roads in the country that would link communities and improve the standard of living of the people.
The Paramount Chief of Bompeh Chiefdom, Chief Caulker, thanked the government for considering this road and expressed excitement about the realisation of a lifetime dream of the people of his chiefdom and the district.
©️MOF Communications
Thanks to the government of Sierra Leone under president talk and do Bio.