By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
In a bid to ensure effective rehabilitation and construction of facilities for the general use of its citizens, on Friday 1st December 2023 the reputable Government of Sierra Leone headed by President Julius Madda Bio through the ministry of information and civic education has finally announced the signing of the long awaited MOU between the Atepa Group for the construction of the Freetown- Lungi Bridge.
The government went on to disclose that the construction group is a Chinese company in china that is trained and specialized for the construction of roads and bridges, thereby making them a very reliable and efficient institution to undertake the construction of the masterpiece project which has been initiated by the President.
Intermittently, the government affirms that the Freetown Lungi- Bridge is measured at exactly 80km long, with an estimate investment which valued with the cost of $1.5 billion.
The Government highlighted that the project is a big part of the President’s vision to substantively improve and maintain Sierra Leone’s Technology and infrastructure and will serve as the main link between the capital Freetown and all important Lungi airport hub that caters for many investors and development partners entering into the country for positive beneficial purposes. The Government also assured that the construction of the Lungi Bridge will alter the prevalent transportation constraints that majority of citizens have been facing for quite a period of time now both for local and international travelers.
Furthermore, the Bridge as ascertained by the Government will be a pathway for a very sustained and rapid economic growth that will complement the new airport which was duly commission by his Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, with a clear estimated cost of $270 Million and subsequently replacing the old airport that was built in 1945.
In another note, the Ministry of Information asserts by providing a detailed description of the Atepa Group saying that the Chinese Road and Bridge Corporation is among the largest engineering, architectural and construction firms which is globally operating in more than 50 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and the American continents and with a distinct ranking with membership of the Fortune 500, with company currently occupying the 61st position. Additionally they also went on to inform members of the public that the Atepa group has serious globally recognized projects which is stamped tom its name and has five star credits for those work, which includes the Banjul Airport (Gambia), Dakar and Togo, “The Atepa Group has several globally renowned projects to its credit, including the Banjul Airport (Gambia) , the headquarters of BECEAO in Dakar (Senegal), the ECOWAS Fund headquarters in Lomé (Togo), and the Monument of the Renaissance, also in Dakar”. The government also informs that the company has various offices in several countries in Africa and Asia.
Conclusively, it is confirmed that a feasibility study of the project in the couple of months and barred from unforeseen delays, they also denote that the construction will commence in the last quarter of 2024 while the entire project sits at an estimation of three years upon completion owing from the start date.
