By Kemo Cham
The Chinese government has promised to upgrade the VIP lounge of the Freetown International Airport. This was revealed at a meeting between President Julius Maada and the new Chinese ambassador in Freetown, Hu Zhangliang.
Mr Hu was the guest of President Bio at State House on Tuesday. A statement from the presidency said the two discussed bilateral ties between China and Sierra Leone.
The rehabilitation of the Lungi VIP lounge is part of a string of development support the China envoy said his government was planning to undertake in Sierra Leone, including a plan to help the West African country improve on its capability of receiving state guests with the setting up of a VVIP Convoy with bikes, cars and support cars.
China will also rehabilitate the Wilberforce Military Barracks which is home to the only Hockey Pitch in the country and the 34 Military Hospital. Ambassador Hu Zhangliang, according to the office of the Presidential Press Secretary, told President Bio that feasibility studies for the two projects were already completed, and that the bidding processes would soon commence.
The development assistance package also includes the construction of a Foreign Service Academy, and provision of food aid for needy Sierra Leoneans. The Chinese say the first two consignments of 2, 000 tons of that assistance had since arrived in Freetown and were being delivered. He said another 1, 500 tons of food support expected to arrive within few days, to be followed by 3, 400 tons more.
“The Chinese government has also made special arrangements for the loan application for the Optical Fibre Network phase two project and we have already approved the loan application. Once Ministry of Finance is done with the loan deal, the work will commence within three weeks,” the statement adds.
Ambassador Hu Zhangliang who assumed office in April had his first meeting with President Bio in May.
President Bio, according to the presidency, expressed delight at receiving the Chinese envoy and for the opportunity to discuss issues relating to the two countries’ current and future projects.
“I am happy with the development of ongoing projects, the Fibre Optic extension which is visible, the food aid, VVIP Convoy, the rehabilitation of the Wilberforce Military Barracks, and improving on the number of Sierra Leonean students,” the president said, adding: “We think this falls in line with the government’s human capital development agenda. As true friends we will also work together.”
© 2019 Politico Online
