By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the National Tourist Board (NTB), with support from the Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP) financed by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Tier 2 has in a ceremony held at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET), on the 14th May 2021, turned the sod for the reconstruction/rehabilitation of a 24 bedroom hotel, kitchen, prep/service room and 6 classrooms of the Hotel and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC), Brookfields Campus.
Stating the purpose of bringing stakeholders together for the occasion, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Andrew L. Sorie disclosed that the Ministry and NTB have taken the cue from President Bio to build human resource capital furthering that in order for the hospitality sector to grow it must be treated with the importance and quality it deserves, hence the reconstruction/rehabilitation of the facilities of the Hotel and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC).
The General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Kroma, while giving an overview of the project stated that the implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP), financed by the EIF Trust Fund, started on the 20th May, 2012 after the execution and signing of the MOU between the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Government of Sierra Leone.
She revealed that the total fund committed was USD2, 990,000 for a period of three years to undertake development initiatives proposed by NTB that covers sector governance, product development, marketing and capacity building.
The National Tourist Board General Manager noted that the project was forestalled and at the risk of losing the funding opportunity, but with the appointments of the current Tourism Minister and the Minister of Trade, they pioneered the conversation with the EIF Donor Partners for the recommencement of the project, adding that in consideration of the prudent fiscal financial management policies of the Government as well as the leadership style exhibited by the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, approval was given to recommence the STDPP-EIF Tier 2 on the proviso that the project should be repackaged and aligned with the National Mid-Term Development Plan/Agenda.
She concluded that the project was repackaged and approved in February, 2020 at the tune of USD1.5Million.
The Principal, MMCET, Dr. Phillip Kanu said that for us to move as a nation, tourism must be at the forefront, hence the reconstruction/rehabilitation of the HTTC Brookfields Campus. He applauded Dr. Pratt and the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha T. Wurie, for their roles in reviving the MMCET.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward H. Sandy, in his remarks said that one of the best ways to change the nation is to strengthen its human capacity to meet the demands of the labor market, domestically and internationally. He furthered that Sierra Leone has numerous potentials, particularly within the tourism sector which are largely untapped.
In his statement, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha T. Wurie gave a brief background of MMCET saying that Sierra Leone began to think futuristically many years ago. He expressed delight that the Ministry of Tourism is investing in its own property, the MMCET. He furthered that MMCET will be a Technical University with degree options in Tourism. He applauded the Principal of MMCET, Dr. Phillip Kanu for the leadership shown in restructuring MMCET.
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt in her keynote address maintained that despite the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Tourism and Hospitality sectors, her Ministry has undertaken many reforms and infrastructural developments with the focus on positioning the industry to becoming a powerful catalyst for improving the socio-economic conditions of Sierra Leoneans.
She said that the success and competitiveness of the country’s touristic destination highly depends on the competence and quality of our human resource base or capacity that requires suitable expertise in order to provide the appropriate services for the Tourism and Hospitality industry, hence the turning of the sod for the construction of the training college as a clear signal of the expected increase in demand for a technical tertiary training college on hospitality management.
Dr. Memunatu Pratt pointed out that the drive to transform the Tourism and Hospitality sector is based on five pillars; tapping into new markets, developing new products, promoting investments, building new partnerships and strengthening human capital. She noted that President Bio, under his leadership, prioritized Human Capital Development as his flagship program that aims at generating a critical sector of highly educated, trained and skilled citizens with the capacity to undertake research and development, pursue innovations and learning and start productive SMEs.
The Minister stated that the repackaged Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP) prioritizes the Hotel and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC), with the view of addressing several needs, saying that the HTTC needs substantial refurbishment and renovation of its facilities that include the 24 bedroom hotel, classrooms, kitchen and prep and serving rooms.
She concluded by applauding the Government led by President Bio and particularly the former Minister of Finance, Jacob J. Saffa for their roles in ensuring that the Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP) is launched.
