By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
A delegation of seven Executive Directors from the African Development Bank (ADB) Group is in Sierra Leone on a five-day impact assessment visit and consultation mission aimed at deepening the partnership between the Bank and the West African Nation.
The delegation paid a visit to one of the Governors of AfDB who is also Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura.
Upon receiving the delegation, Bangura said it was a testament to the country’s commitment to collaborating with the bank to foster regional economic growth, development, and cooperation across Africa.
He noted that ADB is a very strategic development partner of Sierra Leone which has been a member since 1966. He said that the bank has a portfolio of over U.S$ 200,000,000 (two hundred million U.S dollars) in different projects in the country.
He stated that when the bank provides the resources for development like roads, agriculture, energy, and education, it is good they visit to get a feel of the impact of the investment in the country and identify challenges. He added that they engage in deepening partnerships, discuss how much resources they can bring to the country, and how they can support both, financial and non-financial areas.
Minister Bangura explained that the delegation will also have a very high level of engagement with all the ministers across the government to see how they can support the government in implementing the medium-term national development strategy and help push the Big Five agenda of the government.
The ADB has a longstanding partnership with Sierra Leone, one of its founding African nations. The Bank launched its initial projects in 1966-1967 with an equity investment in the national development of Sierra Leone. It has been instrumental over the years in addressing the country’s challenges, including infrastructure deficits, strengthening governance, economic diversification, and supporting youth and women in entrepreneurial endeavors.
Currently, the Bank’s portfolio in Sierra Leone according to a press statement focuses on enhancing access to quality infrastructure and rural electrification, strengthening the agriculture sector, promoting inclusive growth and job creation through the private sector, and supporting youth and women in entrepreneurial endeavors.
Notable projects include the “three towns water supply and sanitation project” which has enabled 550,000 (five hundred and fifty thousand) people in Bo, Kenema, and Makeni to gain access to potable water and provided 46,851 (forty-six thousand, eight hundred and fifty one) students with access to modern toilets,” it stated, adding that the ADB is also supporting the rehabilitation and upgrading of major roads in Sierra Leone as part of the multinational “Mano River Union Road development and transport facilitation programme.”
Mette Knudsen, the Executive Director of the board of ADB who serves as spokesperson and delegation Lead in an interview with newsmen in Sierra Leone said their job is to monitor the work of the bank, the wellbeing of their staff, management, and cooperation with member countries especially Sierra Leone - that has taken a lot of important steps forward from a very troubled past. She assured that the bank will continue to work with Sierra Leone as the government tries to improve its sustainable development projects.
“We hope that our bank will continue to cooperate with the Sierra Leone government on these issues highlighted,” she said.
The Executive Director for Sierra Leone that represents the country’s interests on the Board, Rufus N. Darkotey from Liberia expressed excitement to be in Sierra Leone to understand the priority areas of the country.
The mission in the country forms part of the Bank’s annual work programme and underscores its commitment to maintaining robust engagement with its Regional Member Countries, including Sierra Leone. The Executive Directors will meet with senior officials of government, various government agencies, development partners, integrity institutions, the private sector, youth groups, women, and civil society.
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