By Salhaj & Mackisal
In a discussion with a cross-section of journalists and civil society activists, President Julius Maada Bio last Friday commended the outstanding work of the Gento Group Seaport Project at Kent Village. The President was responding to updates on the recent progress of the project following a visit by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who, in front of the media, explained to the President the massive developments he witnessed two weeks ago. In his brief, Dr. Sengeh informed President Bio that Gento has done significant work at the port and that he strongly believes the Kent project will help alleviate congestion at the Freetown Port. Dr.
Sengeh also commended the media and civil society organizations present for their tremendous support and coverage of government development programs. Responding to the Chief Minister, President Bio said he had also visited the Gento Seaport Project at Kent Village and was impressed with the work. I am also impressed with the development, and I am happy that you, the journalists and civil society activists, have also witnessed and seen the progress. I encouraged Gento to keep up the project because I strongly believe it has the potential to transform the nation’s economy. This should show you, as journalists and civil society members, that you can believe in me and my leadership, as I have nothing to hide, the President said. I am running an open and transparent government, and my goal is to make Sierra Leone a better place for us all, he concluded. Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamahdi Bangura recently gave credence and commendation to the Kent Seaport Project.
Minister Bangura was reported to have said that he strongly believes in the project, as it has what it takes to help alleviate congestion at the Freetown Port. In the eyes of other right-thinking Sierra Leoneans, many believe that if given government support, the project will yield huge financial and economic benefits for the entire nation. The Kent Seaport Project, which costs over 70 million dollars, has become an attraction for both government officials and the opposition. An agreement signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Gento Group of Companies also speaks to the reality of government counterpart funding and support of 20 million dollars, which is yet to be provided. Mohamed Gento Kamara, Chief Executive Officer of the Gento Group of Companies, recently told journalists that he has spent over thirty million dollars.
‘‘I am presently challenged because of the huge financial costs involved. I strongly believe that with 40 million dollars, I will be able to start operations in December this year, which will be of great support to the government as it will add value to the economy and provide employment opportunities for over 1,000 Sierra Leoneans,’’ he stated. A few weeks ago, Members of Parliament from the opposition All Peoples Congress and the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party paid an assessment visit to the Kent Port village. They were also impressed with what they saw and pledged their support to ensure that government obligations toward the project become a reality.
In light of the above commendations from different stakeholders, the project stands to benefit the entire nation; however, the financial burden, currently being shouldered single-handedly by Mohamed Gento Kamara, has become a serious challenge. Some observers who spoke to this medium noted that in countries like Nigeria and Ghana, projects of this nature are urgently supported through government counterpart funding. This, they explained, would provide an added advantage for the government in terms of job creation and economic growth, which are essential pillars for any successful administration.