Speaking to journalists on Thursday 30th August 2018, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, the Country Manager of Bollore Transport and Logistics, Fabjanko Kokan said that the $120 million (one hundred and twenty million dollars) investment is in line with government’s development aspirations to transform the Queen Elizabeth II Quay into a large state-of-the-art trans-shipment hub in West Africa.
He said that the project will create job opportunities, and raise the port’s level of income and revenue generation.
Several new cranes are now on site, along with a new 27meter berth, two ship terminal shores, improved port service delivery capacity that will accommodate over six thousand container vessels, host deep sea, ships and above all, tap into the potential for sustainable economic growth of Sierra Leone.
Fabjanko Kokan also spoke about the tremendous support he enjoys from the Government of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Port Authority (SLPA) and the National Commission for Privatization (NCP).
Speaking on behalf of the government, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr. Sadiq Sillah said the government was satisfied that the expansion is not only going to attract bigger ships coming to Sierra Leon, but that it will reduce the cost of shipping to Sierra Leone.
He added that his government has come in with a New Direction programme, thus calling on everyone to follow the right direction by giving support to foreign investment. He implored Bollore Transport and Logistics to improve on its standards, so that Sierra Leone will continue to match-up with international standard.
“We wish Bollore to continue to work within the best international practice,” the Deputy Minister said, adding that “every company that has genuine intentions to invest in Sierra Leone will enjoy the fullest support of the government.”
President Julius Maada Bio is expected to officially open the newly-completed extended port facility later this year.
