The Hon. Vice President, Dr. Victor Bockarie Foh today hosted the signing ceremony of the largest infrastructural project sponsored by the European Union in Sierra Leone, the Bo – Bandajuma – MRU Bridge (Liberian Border) Road at the conference room of the Office of the Vice President, Tower Hill.
Welcoming dignitaries from the government of Sierra Leone, European Union and the Press, was the Minister of Information & Communication, Hon. Alhaji Alpha Kanu who serves as Chairman of this epoch making event.
In his opening remarks, he stated that “this part of the road, is the last lap of the Trans – West African road for the Sierra Leone government to complete it obligations.
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Mr. Abdul Aziz Kamara, in his statement reaffirms that “this is a happy day to the people of Bo and Pujehun Districts.
The DG went further to inform his audience that the project has a component of three (3) major bridges; the Sewa, Wanjay & Bandajuma.
The road component he stated, is a 106.3 km, with the CSE serving as the Design & Supervising Consultants.
On the quality of standards, SLRA boss, assures that the road will be 7.2 metres wide, with shoulders to accommodate cyclists & motorbikes.
In his short but vital contribution, the Director General of CSE, Mamadou Demba Sow, assures the government & people of Sierra Leone of their commitment to complete the project in record time.
The European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Peter Versteeg, in his statement, thanked all those involved in bringing this project to it implementation stage.
He went further to appeal to the CSE, to create a gender balance by employing women and the youths as a way of empowering the youths.
He further stated that they are counting on the authorities to carry out the necessary relocation of locals that are affected by the road expansion, so as to aide the speedy completion of the project.
The Hon. Minister of Finance, Dr. Kaifala Marrah, in his contribution, thanked the Hon. Vice President for hosting the signing ceremony. He stated that this is a clear sign of the premium government places on this project.
The estimated cost for the Bandajuma – Liberia border road he informed, is approximately 105 million euros. An Action Fiche for the sum of 62.2 million euros from the Regional Indicative Programme (RIP) and Sierra Leone’s 10th EDF National Indicative Programme (NIP) to partly finance the works has been approved. The balance funding of 43 million euros has been allocated from Sierra Leone’s 11th EDF NIP to complete the works.
The Hon. Vice President in his remarks stated that he was particularly pleased to be hosting this historic event, informing his audience that he was the Co-chair when the Mano River bridge was opened in 1975. He thanked the chiefs for allowing the works to commence even before compensations are paid.
VP. Foh stated that, as a government it is their responsibility to develop the country regardless of who voted for them.
He assures that this road will be opening up trade, such as rubber, rice & cocoa plantations.
The Hon. Vice President, expresses optimism that there’ll come a time when we as a nation will be doing it ourselves. But until such time, we will continue to ask the EU for more Grant.
Present to witness this historic event was the host Minister; Hon. Mohamed Alie Bah, the Majority Leader in Parliament; Hon Bundu, Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament; Hon. Yayah Tunis, other State dignitaries & the Press.
Stay tuned for more on the activities of the Hon. VP.
©PR. Unit (VP’s Office)
