By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, BADEA, Saudi Fund, and partners have provided an estimated sum of $68 Million to the Government of Sierra Leone for Infrastructural Transformation in the Education Sector.
The fund is for construction work at the Milton Margai Technical University Campuses at Goderich, Congo Cross and Brookfields, and also Eastern Technical University campuses at Bunumbu College, Magburaka Boys Government Secondary School, and the Prince of Wales Secondary School. An Administrative building will house both Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE).
Signing of the contract was done by the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, David Moinina Sengeh (Ph.D.), Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie and other government stakeholders last week.
Sengeh said it was a pleasure for him to witness and participate in the historic signing event between the Government of Sierra Leone and several contractors as part of an infrastructure transformation in his ministry and that of MTHE.
He said the two ministries will transform the infrastructure of public schools and public universities, and the ministerial building in New England. He added that the fund disbursed signifies a major example of great partnership between multilateral institutions and the government of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Sengeh expressed joy as minister of education and alumni of the Prince of Wales Secondary School that will benefit from this project. He said they are working to ensure that the project is completed in good time.
Higher Education Minister Professor Wurie noted that education transformation is critical to the success of any country. He said as the number of candidates going for the West African Senior School Examinations (WASSCE) increases every year, there is need for tertiary education institutions to cater for that growing demand.
The project coordinator, Engineer Nielford Rose highlighted that the project would rehabilitate 134 (one hundred and thirty four) buildings, with 61 new buildings to be constructed for the two tertiary institutions and two schools, as well as the construction of the admin building. Work is to commence 15th June 2023 and should be completed in 12 months, according to Rose .
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