By Hajaratu S. Bangura
Charles Mambu, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Infrastructure for Development Sierra Leone, has hailed the government’s recent investment in the modern Sewa Grounds Market, as a major milestone in national development. Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference on September 23, 2025, he emphasized the critical role of infrastructure in fostering economic growth and human capital development.
“Infrastructure is the bedrock of development anywhere in the world,” Mambu said. “If your infrastructures are weak, every other thing happening in the country will become very weak. The country will become very weak” he warned. While highlighting the modern design and construction of the Sewa Grounds Market, he explained that such projects not only boost investment, but also increase savings and economic activity for the country’s informal traders and market communities.
He also praised the leadership of NASSIT and the government’s commitment to reviving and sustaining the market. “Thanks to the strong leadership of NASSIT led by Mr. Daboh and his team. For these kinds of investments, if you do not have the right people, you will get tired along the way and conflict will arise, but they withstood the test of time and delivered a very good market for Freetown,” he said.
Looking beyond Freetown, Mambu urged the government to replicate this development across provincial headquarter towns such as Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Port Loko and Kono. He explained that these are areas with significant populations with market women, who are also in need of such infrastructure. However, Mambu raised concerns about the future maintenance of the facility.
“We are worried and should be worried about the maintenance. We have heard that a private company will manage the infrastructure”, he said. “A child and its parent should not be separated. NASSIT’s hand should not be removed, even if a private company handles day-to-day management.” He stressed that sustainability and upkeep are vital for the market’s lasting impact: “How long will the market withstand the test of time? After one year, will it still be a place people can come to and sit in dignity?” He addressed concerns related to the market’s accessibility for original traders.
“Those who were first on the land of the Sewa Grounds Market should be the first to have spaces in the new market,” he said, noting past disputes over usage costs have been somewhat resolved after the President approved a reduction from 12,000 to 6,000 new Leones. “The managing company should take care of these grassroots traders and avoid taking their place by others.”
Finally, Mambu highlighted the crucial goal of reducing street trading, which clogs city roads and hampers urban development. “The biggest reason government allowed NASSIT to invest this much money is to fight street trading. We all know street trading takes over most streets in Freetown, and impacts road quality, because trading activities make it difficult to maintain roads,” he explained. He hoped the new market would help clear streets, especially in the central business district, allowing freer movement and a cleaner city environment.