The Parliament of Sierra Leone has, on Friday, 5 June 2024, debated and unanimously ratified an industrial zone agreement for the economic development of the States.
The following agreement was ratified by Parliament:
The Dry Port Concession Agreement by and Between Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone:
Represented by the Minister of Transport and Aviation and Sierra Leone Industrial Zones Limited and Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms Limited Dated 24th June 2024.
Presenting the agreement before ratification the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Fanday Turay said the Arise agreement is geared towards investing in the dry port and river port industrial zone of the Port Loko District with a total sum of Fifty Five Million United State Dollars ($55) Investment and underscored that the agreements are divided into four phases.
On the economic development, he said, the Government of Sierra Leone would hold 10% of revenue in the agreement.
He also said the dry port will do connectivity to the region and improve industrial growth. He said the agreement would help to lower prices and also create huge employment for Sierra Leonean youths.
The Minister also said the agreement would increase cargo volume and ended by saying that the dry port would provide an environmentally friendly atmosphere to enhance growth and productivity in the business sector.
In his submission to the debate, the Parliamentary chairperson on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Ambrose Maada Labbby said the agreement is a Presidential Manifesto geared towards the improvement of the economic growth in the country. He said the investment amounted to a 55 million-dollar project and would create many employments for the nation. He referred to the agreement as non-controversial and went on to heaped praises on the State. The Chairman went on to highlight the huge investment the country would drive.
On his part, the Opposition Whip of Parliament, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara said he was having issues with the security of the dry port and went on to note that the royalties in the agreement are very small for the state. He also said the entire North-West Region would benefit from the agreement and hoped other regions would benefit the same
On her part, Hon Rebecca Y. Kamara from Kono District requested that the agreement be scrutinized for Sierra Leone benefits and welcomed the agreement, adding that it would create employment for the youths. “I hope they would march up to what is in the agreement and not otherwise.” She concluded
Hon. Mohamed Alpha Jalloh from Falaba District questioned certain sections in the agreement, which he believes the agreements would encourage monopoly in the business sector and went on to highlight some grey areas.
In rounding up the debate, the Acting Opposition Leader, Hon.Daniel Koroma said the idea is great and went on to note that he is impressed with the agreement and believed that the agreement would create revenue generation for the State.
“The intention of the President is to generate revenue and support the President on the agreement,” he concluded.
In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon.Bashiru Silikie applauded MPs for their contributions to the debate and requested the Parliamentary Oversight on Transport and Aviation to monitor the implementation of the agreement and do justice to the people of Sierra Leone.
