By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), led by Minister Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, in collaboration with the Indian High Commission, engaged traditional authorities in Kono District and inspected progress on the Kono University of Science and Technology (KUST) project, as the government works to accelerate its completion.
The visit brought together engineers, project officials, and university leadership to assess ongoing developments and reaffirm commitment to delivering the long-delayed institution.
Dr. Wurie described the KUST project as a top national priority, highlighting government efforts to establish clear timelines and measurable outcomes. She noted that coordination between Sierra Leone and India has improved since her assumption of office in August 2023, helping to address previous bottlenecks.
She added that recent engagements with the Indian High Commission have fast-tracked key processes, expressing confidence that tangible results will soon be visible.
The Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Baisnab Charan Pradhan, acknowledged earlier procedural delays but said renewed high-level collaboration has accelerated implementation. He disclosed that critical stages, including finalization of project documentation and procurement processes, are nearing completion, and contractor selection is expected shortly. Construction could begin in the coming months, potentially before the peak of the rainy season.
Pradhan emphasized that KUST would play a vital role in developing technical manpower, with planned academic programmes in civil, mining, electrical engineering, and computer science.
Project Coordinator Monica Sellu Kamara noted that the project has entered the procurement phase, with international advertisements for contractors already underway. She indicated that, if timelines are maintained, the initial phase of construction could be completed within months.
Vice Chancellor of KUST, Prof. Tamba Jamiru, welcomed the visit, describing it as timely amid public concern over delays, and commended the minister for her continued support.
Local authorities, led by Paramount Chief Komba Kaimachainde IV of Gbense Chiefdom, expressed appreciation to the government and its partners but urged sustained momentum to ensure the university’s delivery. They emphasized that KUST would benefit not only Kono District but Sierra Leone and the wider West African region.
The delegation toured the project site, where engineers outlined ongoing preparatory works and the next phase of implementation. Once completed, the Kono University of Science and Technology is expected to become a major hub for science and engineering education, contributing significantly to skills development and national growth.