By: Aminata Turay
Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Thursday, 16th July, joined His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and other senior government officials for a final assessment of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi ahead of its official commissioning and Sierra Leone’s hosting of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The President and Vice President inspected key sections of the facility, including the Conference Centre, Presidential Hall, Presidential Lounge, Ministerial Lounge, Banquet Hall, Meeting Rooms, Events Hall, Justice Meeting Room, Freedom Meeting Room, and the modern auditorium, which features retractable seating with a capacity of more than 500 people.
During the assessment, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh guided government ministers and other senior officials through the protocols for receiving, ushering, and coordinating the movement of ECOWAS Heads of State, delegates, and invited guests.
He emphasized the importance of effective coordination, strict adherence to security and safety measures, and proper implementation of established protocols to ensure the successful hosting of the regional summit.
The team also reviewed the operational readiness of the conference centre, including logistics arrangements, security preparations, and other final measures required to ensure that the facility meets international standards for hosting high-level regional and global engagements.
The visit highlighted the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to successfully hosting the 69th ECOWAS Summit and demonstrated the country’s preparedness to welcome West African leaders, delegates, and international guests to the newly completed conference facility.
The hosting of the summit is expected to further showcase Sierra Leone’s growing role in regional diplomacy and its capacity to provide modern infrastructure for major international events.