By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and line Ministries, agencies and departments in preparation for the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge have visited the various finish lines sites ahead of the rally in Freetown. The purpose of the visitation was to assess the sites and ensure the facilitation of necessary amenities including clearing, parking space, energy, security, water, and sanitation.
600 participants with 242 vehicles will enter Sierra Leone through the Kambia-Pamlap Guinea border and will drive through Masiaka and bureh beach where a grand festival will be organized for them. A state welcoming ceremony will be organised for the participants, and it is expected that President Bio will address them at the finish line of the event.
A team from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs including the Deputy Minister, William I.K. Robinson and the Permanent Secretary, Edward Kwame Yankson was accompanied by representatives from Ministry of Energy, SALWACO, Sierra Leone Police, Sierra Leone Roads Authority, National Fire force, Immigration Department, Visit Salone Travels and organisers of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally. The visitation and assessment started at the entry point of Kambia-Guinea border and Madina Oula by-pass route to ascertain the accessibility and functionality of the Kabba Ferry. The team proceeded to Masiaka Town where the participants will be camped and overnight, followed by a visit to Bureh beach and Lumley beach finish line where the state welcoming ceremony will be held.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, William I.K. Robinson urged stakeholder of the various finish line sites to provide the best hospitality to the participants as there are lot of benefits attached to the hosting of the finish line in Sierra Leone. They assured that they will put necessary arrangements in place to ensure that the 2022 event is held in grand style.
