By Amin Kef Sesay
A high-powered delegation from the SUMMAH Group of Companies, on Tuesday, 26th January, 2021, together with the Office of the Presidential Infrastructure Initiative (OPII), Ministry of Transport and Aviation (MTA), visited the Freetown International Airport to meet with key Airport and Community Stakeholders in order to hold discussions and inspect the site for the construction of the new Airport Terminal.
The SLAA Board Chairman, Mr. Eddie Williams, who introduced the members of the visiting and that of the host team, chaired the meeting. He explained that, the purpose of the meeting is to give SUMMAH Group the opportunity to meet with Airport and Community Stakeholders for the first time and to update them on the new Airport Terminal Building Project. He went further to confirm that – consultations were made and agreement reached, leading to the turning of the sod for the implementation of the project.
The General Manager, Sierra Leone Airports Authority, Mr. Jack D. K. Massaquoi, in his welcome address, commended President Bio for pioneering the project in line with the agenda of the New Direction – to develop the country through Economic and Infrastructural transformation to better the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. He further welcomed the representatives of SUMMAH GROUP and assured them of Management’s commitment to provide them with the necessary support to actualize the project in line with the time indicated in the project document.
He emphasized that “as Management, we want to welcome you once more to our Airport, as we believe that this project is very timely and would give our country a facelift in the Aviation sector. We are ready to provide you with a welcoming environment now, during and after the project”.
The Director of the Office of Presidential Infrastructure Initiative, Dr. John Tambi, in his statement said, they are here to actualize the project, as lot of people thought the project would never happen. He mentioned that after the turning of the sod by President Bio, there are other documentation processes that have to be completed before SUMMAH GROUP starts the construction process of the new Terminal Building Project. The processes, include, Parliamentary Discussion and Approval have to be given for both parties to be satisfied. He went on to say, since that stage has been accomplished, it beholds Government to now do the official handing over of the site to the SUMMAH GROUP for the construction of the new Airport Terminal.
The Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr. Rex Bonapha expressed his inner joy saying, it is a great pleasure for him to be part of this epoch making event of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation. He opined that the project, if completed, would give a facelift to the Country’s Aviation sector. He pronounced that the people of Kaffu Bullom would have to be the initial beneficiaries of this all-important project. He also informed, the meeting that the Lungi Bridge is underway. He concluded by appealing to the people of Kaffu Bullom to give their utmost support to the project.
The Vice President – Head of Delegation, SUMMAH GROUP, Mr. Fatih Bora, thanked the Government of Sierra Leone for giving them the opportunity to undertake the construction of the new Airport Project. He explained that this is not their first project, as they have airports in Europe, Asia and Africa as well. He summed up by saying; they would work in close collaboration with the people of Lungi, and the Airport Management to meet the needs of the contract.
In a brief statement made by the Paramount Chief of Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, PC Bai Shebura Shebeh III, he expressed his strong commitment to the project and further thanked His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, and the SUMMAH Group for their cooperation with the government. He went on to pray for the project to be successful, and humbly requested that the Suma Group should respect and hold to high esteem the Customs and Traditions of the people of Kaffu Bullom. He also told them about the local contents policy that provides for premium to be given to indigenes for employment opportunities. In the end, he promised and pledged on behalf of his people and assured all of his Chiefdom’s fullest cooperation and support to the project.
The Resident Minister, North-West Region, Madam Haja Isata Kamara who spoke on behalf of Government, thanked God for making it possible for the project and especially the SUMMAH Group for their unflinching and unwavering commitment to the government and people of Sierra Leone.
She recalled that few months ago a similar event took place at the Freetown International Airport that saw the lunching and turning of the sod for the expansion of the New Airport Terminal. Today, she said we are also witnessing another project milestone where the Government is officially handing over the site for the construction of the first phase of the New Airport Terminal to SUMMAH Group. She noted, if the airport was to be built at Mamamah, Lungi would have suffered a great loss, for which she thanked His Excellency for keeping his promise to the people of Port Loko District and Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom.
At the climax of the meeting, the Deputy General Manager, Sierra Leone Airport Authority, Mr. Bobson Kargbo delivered the closing courtesies in which he thanked the Chairman for the excellent manner he had steered the meeting and for responding to the invitation at short notice.
He also thanked the Hon. Minister North-West Region, the Deputy Hon Minister of MTA, Hon. Sadiq Sillah, Board Members, PC and entourage for abandoning their busy schedules to be part of the meeting – a clear demonstration of the strong passion they have for the new Airport Project. Finally he thanked Dr. Tambi and Group, and the SUMMAH Group representatives in attendance for initiating and financing the project which will enhance the operational capability and profile of the Freetown International Airport to serve a wider clientele.
After the meeting, the delegation made a site visit round the perimeters of the Airport, which saw the pouring of libation by the PC and his subsection chiefs.
