By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
The Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery has endorsed the proposed Banana Island and Kent Harbour Terminal project, describing it as a transformative initiative for Sierra Leone’s economic growth and infrastructure development.
Speaking at a press conference, Alphonso Manley stated that government alone cannot create jobs for all citizens, emphasizing the critical role of the private sector in driving employment. He noted that while the government is responsible for creating an enabling environment, investments such as those by the Gento Group of Companies are essential to expanding opportunities.
Manley disclosed that the project at Banana Island and Kent Harbour Terminal is expected to generate over 1,000 direct jobs and potentially hundreds of thousands of indirect employment opportunities for Sierra Leoneans. He urged the government to facilitate a $20 million loan to support Gento Kamara in executing the project.
“We undertook an on-site visit to better understand the scope of work, and what we observed is remarkable. The transformation is visible, and significant investment has already been made,” he said.
He further appealed to the Minister of Finance to expedite the process, linking the project to President Julius Maada Bio’s broader commitment to creating 500,000 jobs nationwide. “This is not about an individual investor, but about the people of Sierra Leone, particularly the youth,” he added.
Chairman of the Consortium, William Sao Lamin, emphasized that their support extends beyond the investor to include the Government of Sierra Leone. He said the project would significantly contribute to job creation and economic expansion.
Lamin also called for the liberalization of the port system, noting that Sierra Leone currently relies on a single major port, contributing to congestion, particularly in Freetown. He pointed out that the proposed terminal would accommodate a wider range of vessels, enhancing the country’s maritime capacity.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the Consortium expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio and Members of Parliament for what it described as “collective leadership and patriotism” in supporting the initiative. The group said the move reflects bipartisan cooperation and a shared commitment to national development through public-private partnerships.
According to the Consortium, the Banana Island Port Project holds significant economic potential. It is projected to create over 1,000 direct jobs during the construction phase and more than 10,000 permanent jobs upon completion. Additionally, between 50,000 and 100,000 indirect jobs could emerge across sectors such as transportation, logistics, trade, and services.
The Consortium noted that such projections align with the government’s broader employment target and could contribute meaningfully to poverty reduction and economic empowerment.
It further highlighted that the project could help reduce the cost of essential goods by improving shipping efficiency and logistics systems, thereby easing the cost of living for citizens.
The statement also underscored key infrastructure components of the project, including a modern seaport, railway connections to mining regions, logistics hubs, and industrial facilities. These, it said, would modernize the country’s transport network, reduce road congestion, and strengthen national supply chains.
Reaffirming its support, the Consortium called on all stakeholders to sustain the current momentum and ensure effective implementation. It also pledged continued engagement, monitoring, and advocacy to ensure the project delivers on its promises of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable national development.
