By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministries of Finance and Health, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with consultants and contractors aimed at ensuring the completion of three major tertiary hospital projects in the Western Area, alongside an Oxygen Production Facility in Kerry Town.
The agreement, signed on Thursday, 14 May 2026, involves the Government of Sierra Leone, represented by the Ministries of Finance and Health, consultancy firm IDEAS Limited, and four construction companies tasked with completing the stalled projects. The facilities include the Lumley Government Hospital, Macauley Street Government Hospital, Waterloo Government Hospital and an Oxygen Production Facility in Kerry Town.
The signing marks a major breakthrough for projects that had for years been described as abandoned or failed following the closure of the financing window from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. The withdrawal of funding had resulted in a prolonged halt in construction activities, leaving the projects incomplete and raising concerns over healthcare infrastructure development in the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie, underscored the significance of the projects in addressing Sierra Leone’s growing healthcare needs. He explained that the Government considers the completion of the hospitals critical to strengthening healthcare delivery and reducing pressure on existing facilities, particularly in the Western Area.
Matthew Dingie disclosed that in response to the funding challenges, the Ministry of Finance pursued an alternative and innovative financing mechanism to revive and complete the projects. He noted that extensive negotiations were held with both contractors and consultants to determine the total resources required for the completion of the remaining original works, as well as approved additional works across all four project sites.
Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, emphasized the urgent need for expanded healthcare infrastructure in the Western Area, noting that rapid population growth has heightened the demand for quality health services.
He maintained that the expansion of hospital capacity remains essential to improving access to healthcare and easing congestion in existing health facilities. Dr. Austin Demby further assured that the Ministry of Health has already begun mobilizing personnel, medical equipment and other logistical supplies to ensure the facilities become fully operational immediately upon completion.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura disclosed that the projects are already between 80 to 90 percent complete, expressing optimism that the remaining works would soon be finalized under the new arrangement.
The Finance Minister urged contractors to strictly adhere to the mutually agreed implementation timeline outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, stressing the Government’s determination to ensure timely delivery of the facilities for public use.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to guaranteeing the prompt disbursement of funds in accordance with the procedures and funding arrangements detailed in the MOU.
According to the agreement, a total allocation of Four Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-Three United States Dollars and Sixty-Three Cents (US$4,232,593.63) has been approved for the completion of the projects.
The contractors, Cubic Construction Company Limited, Fajaha International Construction, Hariss Construction and Nimo Construction and Trading Enterprises, are expected to undertake the remaining original works and approved additional works within the stipulated project timeline, raising renewed hopes for improved healthcare delivery and infrastructure development in Sierra Leone.
