By Amin Kef (Ranger)
As a positive move to translate one of President’s Bio’s manifesto commitments, geared towards enhancing development, by encouraging or driving investment in the industrial sector, there will be a Groundbreaking Ceremony, on the 26th April, 2023 at Mile 36 ,close to the David School at 11:00 am, under the patronage of H.E Brig.(Rtd) Dr Julius Maada Bio, for the development of the Koya Industrial Zone (SiZ-Koya), which is said to be a joint venture between the Republic of Sierra Leone and ARISE IIP. Guests are expected to be on their seats by 10:30 am, before the arrival of the President.
During the ceremony, the welcome address will be delivered by the Paramount Chief, Koya Chiefdom, PC Bai Kompa Bomboli 111 to be followed by the Project Presentation by the Logistics Value Chain Director of ARISE IIP, Jesper Boll.
Furthermore, speeches will be delivered by the President of AFREXIMBANK, Prof. Benedit Oramah, by the CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, Samalia Zubairu, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr Turad Senesie, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Edward Hinga Sandy.
The keynote address will be delivered by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Amb Tamba Lamina together with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hinga Sandy engaged residents of Koya Chiefdom on the 13th April, 2023 to inform them of the Government’s plan to establish a special Economic Zone in their Chiefdom.
Worthy of note is that the Government of Sierra Leone has partnered with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) ,a company that designs, finances, conceives and operates industrial ecosystems across African countries, to establish a special Economic Zone in Sierra Leone and Koya Chiefdom in the Port Loko District was identified to be the first location.
“The vision of President Bio is to make sure that industries are spread across the country, but he has prioritized Koya Chiefdom to be the first point of call for same. This simply means, the Government through its partner (ARISE IPP) is going to establish different manufacturing industries in this Chiefdom which would create job opportunities for thousands of your people and also boost economic activities for you,” Amb Tamba Lamina informed the gathering while stating the purpose of their visit to Chiefdom.
He assured that the benefits that surround the establishment of the special Economic Zone in the said Chiefdom would surpass the Airport that the past Government intended to construct therein.
The Minister appealed to residents to work with their Paramount Chief as every process including agreements and documentations of the establishment would be as transparent as possible.
In his statement, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, said President Bio has a special interest in Koya Chiefdom which was why he chose there for the establishment of his farm land and secondly, the fact that he identified the same Chiefdom to start his dream of establishing the Special Economic Zone in Sierra Leone is another manifestation of his love for them.
He continued that the Special Economic Zone would be the first in Sierra Leone after the formation of the policy and that the drive is geared towards increasing export and foreign exchange. He added that the partner of Government in the said establishment is well-known in Africa for such investments and that it was his belief that ARISE IPP will hit the ground running.
He ended by calling on the residents of Koya Chiefdom to believe in the leadership of President Bio as his love for Sierra Leone is beyond words.
In his remarks, Paramount Chief, Kompa Bomboli III of Koya Chiefdom expressed gratitude on behalf of his Chiefdom residents to the Government for such a manifestation of love for his chiefdom.
He added that he has always told his subjects that President Bio is going to make Koya Chiefdom his retirement home owing to the fact that he has his farm land there.
He continued by highlighting the benefits that his Chiefdom would stand to gain when the special Economic Zone is established in their community and called on all his subjects to support President Bio for a better future for Koya and Sierra Leone.
