By Alpha Abu
The World Bank Country Director, Pierre Frank Laporte has praised Sierra Leone for its efforts in combating the spread of coronavirus in the country. Laporte gave the compliment during a courtesy call on President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown on Wednesday 25 August 2021, according to the State House Communications Unit.
He expressed delight that the country had encouraged the vaccination process against the pandemic and introduced other swift steps to curtail the pandemic. He assured President Bio of the Bank’s continued support in fighting coronavirus.
He registered the World Bank’s satisfaction over the development projects being undertaken in the country especially in the energy and educational sectors, and spoke about the good working relationship his institution has with the Ministry of Finance.
He pledged the Bank’s support for Sierra Leone’s Health Insurance Scheme in recognition of President Bio’s Group Life Insurance Scheme for frontline health workers engaged in the fight against COVID-19.
President Bio expressed gratitude for what he described as the quality friendship existing between his government and the Bank, and cited the financial and technical assistance the Bank has provided, which he said had addressed “difficult areas of governance”.
“Your contributions have been immense. We therefore consider you as a close partner. My government is committed to keeping the relationship together and stronger. We look forward to more support from the Bank,” President Bio said.
He highlighted the government’s support for vulnerable people in the face of immense challenges posed by the pandemic, but assured the World Bank Director of his own continued contributory effort in combating the coronavirus.
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