INFRASTRUCTURE THE DRIVE IS ON TO BUILD ROADS AND HOMES
Minister urges foreign companies to become involved in reconstruction

Thousands of miles of roads need to be built to advance economic and social development

The social evolution of the country depends on re-establishing the basic infrastructure of roads and housing. Approximately 4,500 miles of roads need to be constructed, while more than 350,000 homes are required just to return to the level of housing that existed before the civil conflict.

The responsibility for this mammoth task rests with the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Technical Maintenance, headed by James C. Boima. Dr. Boima points out that advances in poverty alleviation, food security, education, and health care all depend on road construction, as does development of the agriculture and mining sectors.
“We have rehabilitated roads around the provinces so that people can get access to agricultural areas in accordance with the food security program,” says the Minister.

The involvement of international donors is crucial, and Dr. Boima says foreign investors should take advantage of the opportunities on offer. He would like to see U.S. firms getting involved. “Other countries have already shown interest, and these are areas where U.S companies could come in.”

Approximately 98% of all internal traffic, including transportation of agricultural products to the urban areas and that of imported items to the rural areas, is carried out by road.

JAMES C. BOIMA Minister of Works, Housing, and Technical Maintenance

EL-HADJ. M. KEBBAY Director General of Sierra Leone Roads Authority

PRINCE ALEX HARDING Minister of Transport and Communications

El-Hadj I. M. Kebbay, Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) says, “Every sector of the economy can be developed once the whole country is accessible by road.”
The SLRA is maximizing the use of private contractors for road maintenance. “We are training a lot of people in maintenance, especially on feeder roads,” says Mr. Kebbay. “We create jobs by encouraging contractors to employ locally, and it gives the people a sense that the road belongs to them.”

Investment needed for transportation take-off
While the road network remains the dominant means of moving goods and people around internally, development of external transportation links and telecommunications is also vital to economic development.
Here, too, there are opportunities for U.S. investment. Prince Alex Harding, Minister of Transport and Communications, says, “There are many areas in transport and telecommunications that are open to investment. Now is the time for U.S. companies to come.”

The international airport at Lungi, near Freetown, is ideally located as the nearest African airport to Europe on the route to South Africa. Major restoration work has been carried out by Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA), assisted by the World Bank, and the African Development Bank.

A.D.A. M'CORMACK Managing Director of Sierra National Airlines

D. C. O. BULL General Manager of Sierra Leone Airports Authority

D. C. O. Bull, SLAA’s General Manager, is anticipating the arrival of 50,000 tourists a year within the next two years, as the country rebuilds its reputation as an idyllic beach destination. “We have plans to extend the airport and build a state-of-the-art terminal,” he explains.

A. D. A. M’Cormack, Managing Director of Sierra National Airlines (SNA), says the operational stability the company has achieved provides the basis for expansion. “We have had regular flights in and out of the country since last year, and have been able to enhance the reliability of the services we offer.” Already the easiest connection to Europe, there are plans to further develop connections to European destinations and the United States.

Maritime activity is also increasing, thanks to recent investments by the Ports Authority, and the potential offered by AGOA and the trade agreement with the European Union. Sierra Leone boasts one of the largest natural harbors in the world. “We want to expand the marine areas and encourage companies to invest in the maritime sector,” says Minister Prince Harding.

The telecommunications sector has been booming during last two years. Liberalization has led to the entrance of two private investors, Celtel and Millicom International, in the cell phone sector, both of which have secured rapid growth. The national telecom company, Sierratel, also plans to enter the cell phone market.