By Politico staff Writer
Sierra Leone’s Country Director for the International Labour Organization (ILO) Vanessa Phala has on Tuesday 30th June 2021, engaged the Minister of Works and Public Assets- Peter Bayuku Konteh at his New England Ville Office in Freetown on a project worth 60 million Euro.
The project titled “Jobs and Growth Sierra Leone," is said to have a component for the development and maintenance of feeder roads with an investment of 8 million Euros.
In her statement, Vanessa Phala said that part of her mission to meet with the Minister of Works and Public Assets is to build a strong collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) on the implementation of the project.
She noted that her institution will be engaging in a number of interventions that cut across training and capacity building aimed at creating jobs for young entrepreneurs to help ensure the sustainability of the feeder roads.
She added that the project is a 4-year project scheduled for implementation in 4 districts; Bo, Kenema, Bombali and Port Loko- covering 200 km (50 km per district).
In his statement, the Minister appreciated the ILO Boss for the project and for the contribution ILO has made over the years in the development of Sierra Leone.
He said such road project is in line with the New Direction Manifesto towards enhancing connectivity.
“This project is coming at a time when a lot is happening in the road sector of Sierra Leone as government is investing heavily to improve the road network,” he said.
He added that he wants to see the project implemented in a way that is sustainable in which all relevant stakeholders like the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Roads Maintenance Fund Agency, and the Local Councils are part and parcel of the implementation exercise.
Minister Konteh requested the training of local entrepreneurs so as to be in the position to take over the maintenance of their feeder roads. He also requested that ILO should provide basic equipment to be used in the implementation of the feeder road works.
he added that the Minister informed ILO that the government is currently looking at new technologies like polymers to be introduced in feeder road works especially in the most remote districts like Falaba, Karene, Pujehun, Kailahun, and Koinadougu.
Copyright © 05/07/21 Politico Online
