By Amin Kef Sesay
Fostering national development cannot be done exceptionally by any sitting Government as the contributions by the private sector cannot be overemphasized in that direction. Public-Private Partnership is a significant driver of socio-economic growth. It is therefore folly for some to harbour the notion that it must be Government that should have done so and so, not a private entity.
In is within this context that President Julius Maada Bio has encouraged investors and the private sector institutions in the country to emulate the exemplary work and contribution towards the development drive of the country like the way Mercury International is doing.
In his statement at the official unveiling ceremony of the Dr. Kadie Sesay Girls Secondary School in Port Loko Town in the North-West Region of the country, fully sponsored by the Sports Betting and Lottery Company, Mercury International, President Bio said the drive by the company is worth emulating.
According to President Bio other investors need to emulate Mercury International by joining the development drive of the country, noting that investment in human capital development is the best investment for any nation. “Education is a right. Therefore, we are committed to narrowing the gender gaps and provide opportunities for the under-served communities in our country. We believe as a Government, that we must maximize to multiply effect for investing in the education of girls,” Bio said.
He added: “I want to use this opportunity to thank Mercury International and encourage other business people because it’s not just Mercury that is in this country, there are other business people. So imagine if Mercury International could do this with plans of doing more, if all the business people in the country do same, it will be good.”
The Dr. Kadie Girls Secondary has Classes from JSS I to JSS 3, with the classrooms named after sections in Port Loko District, like Maforki, Lunsar, Masiaka, Mange and Lungi.
The six-classroom building is equipped with a laboratory, which has been described by officials of the Ministry of Education as a lab school. I was constructed with funding from Mercury International which spent over Le500 billion to complete the project.
