By Bampia James Bundu
The Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swaray has over the weekend revealed to journalists in Kenema that 14 Districts across the country would have to benefit from the National Fiber Backbone Phase two project being implemented by Huawei Technologies.
The $30 Million dollar loan project from the Chinese Government, contracted to Huawei Technologies seeks to complete the fibre backbone connection in the entire initial 14 Districts as well as to provide sustainable digital technology across the country.
In his address the Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swaray commended Huawei Technologies for their commitment towards the civil construction of the fibre backbone in the South and South-East.
He described Huawei as a strategic partner in supporting the Government’s national agenda for the digitalization of Sierra Leone and one of the biggest in ICT infrastructure and smart devices in the world.
He stated that President Bio noted that Sierra Leone, like the rest of other countries in West Africa, has missed out on three industrial revolutions and so he does not want the country to miss out on this fourth industrialization revolution.
According to him, the President has prioritised digitalization as an important catalyst to ensure Sierra Leone become competitive both locally and abroad.
The Minister added that if a look is taken at the Government’s National Development Plan -Cluster 3.5 the Ministry must ensure that they improve and enhance the country’s telecommunications connectivity both locally and internationally.
He disclosed that the Ministry has done a lot in undertaking several reforms in the Ministry and will continue to do more to transform the country digitally.
Mohamed Swaray noted that upon the completion of the fibre backbone the whole country will be connected and it will help enhance fibre penetration to homes and communities.
He called on Huawei to continue their engagement with community stakeholders and ensure that they provide jobs for youths in areas where they are operating.
The Project Manager, HUAWEI Technologies, Nana Yaw Amoako, commended the Ministry and SALCAB for visiting their project sites, saying they have started the civil work of the project which he described as the most important and difficult part of the project.
He said that once the civil work is finished they will start installation of other equipment and blow the fibre cables inside the HDPE pipes that will run the fibre from one point to the other with steady and sustainable internet.
He assured the Ministry and SALCAB of their commitment to completing the project within the stipulated timeframe.
