By Mohamed T. Massaquoi
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) in Sierra Leone has started talks with ECOWAS on setting up infrastructure for a Joint Border Post between Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The engagement which took place at MOPED’s office in Freetown last week focused on how Sierra Leone and Liberia can work together better along their respective borders to facilitate movement and trade, according to a statement released by MOPED.
“The Joint Border Post will reconfigure border crossing facilities to decongest and clear border posts usually blocked by vehicles and haulers, which sometimes last for weeks,” the statement reads.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Francis Kaikai told the ECOWAS representatives during the meeting that the initiative comes at the right time and that it’s in line with President Julius Maada Bio’s dream of an integrated Africa. Dr. Kaikai said President Bio has a similar plan of regional integration through business and investment, but stressed the government’s determination to also strengthen border security and ensure legitimate travel.
“This is a timely venture,” he said.
Politico understands that the ECOWAS delegation first held similar engagement with the Liberian government before the Freetown visit.
During the presentation of the proposed ECOWAS plan, Principal Programs Officer, Maritime and Corridor Development, Chris Appiah, explained that this project will further support the attainment of a functional regional, economic and business environment through the development of broader crossing infrastructure that will facilitate inter-state trading and free border movement between the two countries.
“This project will facilitate the work of traders and ensure a well-connected corridor that will aid transit traffic along the entire corridor,”Appiah said.
Speaking to Politico over the weekend on the development, Dr. Kaikai said the visit is the first of many to come. He noted that ECOWAS is still assessing which side of the border to set the necessary infrastructure for the Joint Border Post.
“If the assessment thing remains as they are, Liberia will have more benefit, because our own border infrastructures have been left very careless. It has been surrounded by water,” he said.
Dr Kaikai added: “This was why we advocated to the ECOWAS team to establish the infrastructure on each side of the border in order for Sierra Leone to benefit.”
The Minister said he was expecting another meeting with the ECOWAS team which will involve related ministries. Together, he noted, they will look at the assessment outcome in December this year or January 2020. If the talks go well, the Presidents of both countries will then meet with ECOWAS and discuss a framework that will benefit both countries, he said.
© 2019 Politico Online
