A delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) arrived in Sierra Leone on Saturday, July 14, 2024, to evaluate the progress of the Regional Rice Value Chain Project spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
The mission’s main focus is on inspecting the bank-funded initiatives, particularly the development of 4,000 hectares of irrigated land in Tormabum aimed at boosting rice production.
Paramount Chief Alex Maada Kaipumu of Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District, welcomed the team, expressing gratitude for the IsDB’s support in enhancing rice cultivation through the irrigation scheme.
He praised the project’s contractor and highlighted the significant impact the irrigation project will have on the Government’s Feed Salone program.
Sabiu Auwal, Operations Team Lead for Agriculture with the IsDB mission, commended the advancements made in Tormabum.
He noted the progress in constructing the irrigation system, rehabilitating two warehouses, building a new warehouse, two prefab milling houses, and two stores, as well as rehabilitating 35 km of road. Auwal stressed the importance of timely completion and proper utilization of these facilities.
Alhaji Mohamed Sesay, Project Engineer for the Regional Rice Value Chain Project, mentioned that Pavifort Associates has been actively working on the irrigation and road rehabilitation projects since March. The irrigation project is slated for an 18-month duration, while the road work is expected to take 12 months.
Pavifort Associates’ General Manager, Mohamed Kamara, confirmed the firm’s full mobilization for both the irrigation and road rehabilitation projects.
The IsDB mission team includes Senior Agriculture Specialist Br. Javed Khan, Operations Team Leader Br. Sabiu Auwal, and Project Management Specialist Sr. Asma Bousdira, all from the Regional Hub Dakar. They are joined by representatives from the Ministry of Finance and technical staff from the Regional Rice Value Chain Project.
