Dr. Eldred Taylor, Chairman of the Office of the Presidential Infrastructure Initiative (OPII), presided over a meeting of the Project Management Technical Committee (PMTC) for the Lungi Hotel, Congress Centre, and Presidential Villas Construction Project. During the session, he commended His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for spearheading the transformative initiative aimed at promoting regional integration and positioning Sierra Leone as a competitive destination for tourism and international state engagements.
Dr. Taylor emphasized that, although the project comprises three main components, the immediate priority is the timely completion of the Congress Centre and Presidential Villas in preparation for the ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State scheduled for June 2026.
He noted that the OPII is working under direct instructions from President Bio, who is committed to delivering the project as part of his legacy as Chair of ECOWAS, championing regional integration, peacebuilding, economic diplomacy, and strategic international engagements. “Let us all work concertedly to deliver this project in record time so that it will be a monumental legacy for the progressive and transformative Chair of the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS,” Dr. Taylor remarked.
The OPII Chairman acknowledged the EPC Contractor, FB Group, for its dedication to advancing the project, noting that the company is working overtime to ensure timely completion.
Representatives from key institutions also participated in the meeting. Dr. Alhassan Mansaray from the Ministry of Finance reaffirmed government support for all infrastructure projects linked to the summit and highlighted that the financing structure would not burden the national budget. Mr. Richard Hindolo Senesie of the National Revenue Authority assured stakeholders of his institution’s commitment to expediting waivers for imported construction materials to facilitate smooth project execution.
Project Manager Ing. Tejan Abdul Tejan provided an overview of ongoing activities, noting that multiple components of the project are under active construction simultaneously. Stakeholders unanimously adopted the Terms of Reference of the Committee and pledged full commitment to ensuring the project’s successful delivery.
The Lungi Hotel, Congress Centre, and Presidential Villas Construction Project is being implemented under an innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The OPII-established Project Management Technical Committee serves as a multi-institutional platform responsible for coordinating, guiding, and ensuring the project is executed within approved scope, timelines, and regulatory frameworks.
This initiative reflects Sierra Leone’s broader ambition to enhance its infrastructure capacity, strengthen regional engagement, and host international events of global significance.
