Chief Executive Officer of Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara, has called on the Government to fulfil its commitment under a concession loan agreement intended to support the completion of the Kent Harbour and Logistics Port.
Mohamed Gento Kamara made the appeal on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a visit by executives of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC) to the project site at Kent. The delegation assessed construction progress and examined the port’s potential contribution to trade, employment and national economic development.
The SLLC described worsening congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown as a national emergency requiring urgent intervention. It warned that the situation was affecting workers, businesses, road users, transport operators and the wider economy.
Welcoming the delegation, Mohamed Gento Kamara said maintaining a strong relationship with the Labour Congress is important because Gento Group operates in the construction sector and employs many Sierra Leoneans.
“We are involved in construction and employ people, so we need to maintain a good relationship with the Labour Congress,” he stated.
He said the Congress had expressed concern about congestion at the existing Freetown port and its impact on the daily movement of workers and goods.
According to Mohamed Gento Kamara, the Kent Harbour and Logistics Port has come at a critical time, considering the growing pressure on Sierra Leone’s existing port infrastructure and increasing demand across the sub-region.
He disclosed that the project is estimated to cost US$75 million, with approximately US$30 million already invested. An additional US$45 million would be required to complete the outstanding work.
Mohamed Gento Kamara explained that the project’s overall cost had been significantly reduced because Gento Group already possesses much of the machinery, technical capacity and workforce needed for construction.
“This project is capital-intensive and expensive. It is costing us less because we are a construction company with the machinery and workforce already in place,” he said. “If it had been undertaken by another company without those resources, it could have cost more than US$200 million. For us, the estimated cost is US$75 million.”
He identified financial constraints as the main challenge preventing the project from reaching completion. He stressed that the request is not for a Government bailout but for the fulfilment of an obligation contained in an agreement between the Government and Gento Group.
According to him, the concession loan arrangement was approved by Cabinet and ratified by Parliament because of the project’s expected economic value.
“The Government has an undertaking in the agreement involving a concession loan and that obligation should be met,” Mohamed Gento Kamara maintained.
He said the agreement was signed about two years ago but the company is still awaiting the financing commitment. He added that he had sold some of his assets to sustain construction activities.
“All these efforts are geared towards developing the country, creating jobs and making it easier to conduct business,” he said.
Mohamed Gento Kamara claimed that Parliament had repeatedly called on the Ministry of Finance to meet the Government’s obligation, while the Ministry of Transport and Aviation had also written to the Finance Ministry on the matter.
He warned that continued financial pressure could threaten indigenous ownership of the development.
Mohamed Gento Kamara explained that the Kent facility would operate both as a port and a logistics hub supporting the proposed development of a larger port on Banana Island.
“Our main target is Banana Island. Kent will serve as a logistics hub for Banana Island and will also function as a port, as clearly stated in the agreement,” he explained.
He clarified that although Gento Group owns and is constructing the facility, it would not directly operate the port. Operations would be handled in accordance with Sierra Leonean law and under the oversight of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority.
“We will engage the Ports Authority and appoint an operator. Gento Group will not operate the port; we will serve as the landlord because we own the facility,” he said.
Reflecting on his investment journey, Mohamed Gento Kamara said he returned to Sierra Leone following an encounter with the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in England, during which the former President encouraged him to return home and invest in national development.
He said that experience strengthened his determination to inspire young Sierra Leoneans, create employment and demonstrate that indigenous companies could successfully undertake major infrastructure projects.
Mohamed Gento Kamara cited the Hill Cut Road project as an example, recalling that some people doubted whether a Sierra Leonean contractor could complete the work successfully.
“Many people doubted that a Sierra Leonean would get the job done but I proved them wrong,” he said.
He further urged Sierra Leone to take advantage of its strategic geographical position and extensive Atlantic coastline to expand maritime trade and attract investment.
The Labour Congress’ visit has added momentum to demands for urgent measures to address congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and strengthen the country’s trade infrastructure.
With workers, businesses and communities increasingly affected by congestion and the movement of heavy container vehicles through Freetown, the SLLC believes completing the Kent Port could provide additional capacity, improve trade flows, create jobs and stimulate broader economic growth.
The Congress maintained that expanding Sierra Leone’s port capacity is no longer merely an infrastructure ambition but an urgent economic necessity requiring decisive action from the Government and other stakeholders.
