By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of their efforts to have a large group of networked computer servers for the remote storage, processing, or distribution of large amounts of data in the country, Orange Sierra Leone on Thursday 21st October, 2021 turned the sod for the construction of an ultra-modern Data Centre with worth 15 Million Dollars. The event took place in Bo District, Southern Sierra Leone.
Welcoming the delegation, the Paramount Chief of Kakua Chiefdom, P. C Prince Lappia Boima, described the turning of the sod for the construction of the Data Centre in Bo District as a laudable venture towards the distribution of large amounts of data in the country of which he used the opportunity to commended Orange -Sierra Leone for the move it has undertaken.
He said that data usage is very important especially in this technological world. P. C Prince Lappia Boima stated that months ago the company launched the 4G plus which ,he said, was part of the company’s commitment to offer its customers an advanced technological service in order to enable them access improved communications across the country.
In her address, the Chief Executive Officer, Aminata Kaine, said that after a longtime of selecting the best place, contractors and architects to work on the Data Centre decided to choose Bo District which she described as a strategic location to host the company’s Data Centre.
She noted that the issue of data has become more important stating how it is very difficult for people to live without the internet, adding that in most cases there is an increase in traffic of which they needed redundancy and that with the construction of the Data Centre in Bo the data traffic will not go back to Freetown but rather it will stay in Bo furthering that the Data Centre after completion will be the company’s second Data Centre in the country which will also serve as redundancy in case of any emergency occurring in Freetown.
Aminata Kaine described the Data Centre as an ultra-modern facility that matches international standard. According to her the indigenous workforce will be working with support from Orange Groups, adding that they are expecting the Data Centre to be completed within 12-15 months.
She used the opportunity to express appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for their continuous support and giving them the conducive environment to develop communication in order to connect all Sierra Leoneans through their services.
Giving the keynote address, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rado Swarray, applauded Orange Sierra Leone for the construction of the Data Centre in Bo District which he said is in line with the President’s vision to enhance decentralization in the country.
He revealed that the turning of the sod is not the first event he has witnessed adding that in recent times he has been fortunate to commission the Early Childhood Development Centre School Project, which happens to fall under the GSM Company’s Free Quality Education support to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Initiative. The Centre, he disclosed, were constructed in Pujehun, Kambia and Moyamba Districts also pointing out how he witnessed the donation of a 500 KVA generator to Njala University, Mokonde Campus of which he said that the company has been supporting the Government’s development aspiration.
The Minister maintained that the Data Centre, which will enhance storage, processing, or distribution of large amounts of data in the country will definitely give a new facelift in terms of internet connectivity in the country. On behalf of the Government he assured the company of their continuous support.
The event was climaxed by the pouring of libation by the Paramount Chief of Kakua Chiefdom, P. C Prince Lappia Boima with other stakeholders followed by the official turning of the sod by the Minister of Information and Communication, Mohamed Rado Swarray and the Chief Executive Officer, Aminata Kaine.
