By Politico staff writer
In a bid to revamp the Bunumbu Teachers College (BTC), the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Education Sector Support Project has secured a $15,000,000 grant to reconstruct and rehabilitate one of the oldest teacher training colleges in Sierra Leone. Work is to commence in January 2022.
Bunumbu Teachers College in Peje West Chiefdom in the Kailahun District began operations as a union college in 1922. It was displaced by the 1991 Rebel War to Kenema in 1991. In 2001, Bunumbu Teachers College and Technical Institute Kenema were merged by the Late President Dr. Tejan Kabba SLPP led government to form Eastern Polytechnic, consisting of three campuses ( TIK Campus in Kenema District, Bunumbu Campus in Kailahun District and Waoma Campus in Kono District). For several years, efforts had been expressed for government to rebuild and relocate the institution to its original location but to no avail.
However, the President Julius Maada Bio led administration with support from the Project known as ESS project, has been able to achieve that through a grant.
In a validation of the scope of the project meeting held at Eastern Polytechnic on Thursday, 12th August 2021, the Project Coordinator Ing. Neilford Roes informed the gathering that the government has contracted a consulting Firm, IDEAS Limited to undertake a three-month architectural design of the entire campus before the reconstruction and rehabilitation work will commence. He added that the project encompasses additional facilities that never existed before and disclosed that a total of 100 (one hundred) buildings are to be constructed. He identified some of these buildings as administrative, library, laboratories, recreational centers, hostels, and quarters for staff.
Architect Ivan on behalf of IDEAS LTD re-emphasized that their visit was purposefully for a pre-validation of the intended intervention and appreciated the kind of reception accorded them.
The Principal, Eastern Polytechnic, Ing. Prof. Mohamed Konneh applauded the government's effort in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Bunumbu campus. He therefore called on the community to own the project as it stands not only to benefit the college but the community as well.
In his statement, the Registrar, John Juana recognized the good deeds of the current government in ensuring quality education were delivered to that part of the country. He disclosed to the community stakeholders that Eastern Polytechnic has been finally transformed into a university and that when Bunumbu has been reconstructed and rehabilitated, it will be a constituent college of the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone. He noted that the said project will not only advance the educational sector but will also promote trade and create jobs for the youths.
On an unrelated note, the local authorities used the occasion to plead that their community be considered in any future water supply scheme.
Copyright © Politico Online (16/08/21)
