BADEA Assesses Progess Of Bauya Bendu Cha Road Construction
An appraisal mission from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for implementing ongoing projects and designing new ones in Sierra Leone.
This signing marks the end of a week’s mission that commenced on 28th August to 3rd September 2024, to follow up on the outcomes of the roundtable meetings held in Vienna in June 2024 with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and some senior officials of government and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
The head of BADEA mission, Mr Diab Karrar, who is the Chief Operations Officer Public Sector, explained that they are in Sierra Leone to appraise the construction of the Bauya Bendu Cha Road Project, prepare the food security program (Feed Salone operational plan 2024-2028, prepare the Trade Finance Facility, also follow-up on the ongoing projects and discuss the pipeline of new operations.
Diab Karrar disclosed that the road is about 65 kilometers and starts from Bauya Junction to Bendu Cha and is part of Tikonko Kpetema Mattru Jong Bauya Bendu Cha Road, which has a total length of about 145 kilometers, of which BADEA is financing two sections of the road, Kpetema Mattru Jong and Tikonko Kpetema.
He noted that the project is estimated to be around $60 million, of which $42.91 million is in foreign currency, and $17.09 million (28.48%) in local currency.
He also explained that the Education Sector Support Project implementation is about 42% completed.
The head of mission further explained that the Organization is proposing to support the Trade Facility Programme to support Small and Medium Enterprises through the Feed Salone Agenda of the government.
He concluded that the team is pleased with the project coordinators in the implementation so far, and revealed the willingness of BADEA to further work with the government of Sierra Leone on subsequent projects that align with the Medium-Term National Development Plan.
During the Courtesy visit to the Ministry of Finance, Deputy Minister of Finance 1, Kadiatu Allie, explained that Sierra Leone and BADEA have over 50 years of relationship. She noted that the Organization comprises about 18 Arab Countries, and the beneficiaries are mostly Sub-Saharan countries, with an estimated disbursement of about $13.7 billion.
The Deputy Minister expressed delight to receive the mission to Sierra Leone, stressing the need to support the Agricultural sector, the flagship program of the government.
The Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie, thanked the mission and said a technical team has been set up to monitor the progress of the donations made by BADEA and OPEC Fund. He continued that the Ministry will coordinate with the technical team set up by His Excellency to meet and discuss with the BADEA team, and develop a programme for the utilization of these funds.
Matthew Dingie also noted that SME support is not new in the country, and the government is already implementing the MUNAFA FUND programme to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The mission ended its assessment and engagement on 3rd September 2024, and was accompanied by Mr Sameh Azzuz, Senior Civil Engineer Expert, Mr Hatem Jabri, head of the Agriculture Value Chain Division
