Stakeholders and community people of Bureh Town have unanimously agreed for a private sector management model for the touristic and leisure facilities being developed at Bureh Beach by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs under the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP). The agreement was made in a meeting organized by the Ministry and the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) of SLEDP.
The implementation of the SLEDP project is geared towards enhancing the tourism sector, with focus on the development of three sites (Bureh beach, Leicester Peak and Tacugama). It continues with developing a business plans, establish management structures and investing in infrastructure. For Bureh beach, the development of a beach boardwalk, market stall, surf club, restaurant, jetty, public showers and toilets, beach showers and toilets, green parking including upgrading access roads.
The Tourism Specialist for SLEDP, Prince Gaima highlighted that the purpose of the meeting was to engage Bureh community on the business management model of the aforementioned facilities. He maintained that even though stakeholders of the community have made a decision on the business model, they were there to ensure that the decision is made by the community people.
Director of Tourism, Travel and Exchange Programme, Mohamed Jalloh said the facilities when completed will positively impact their livelihood and provide employment for Bureh Town, hence they were there to ascertain the decision of Bureh community on the management of the facilities either by a private person with the required expertise and additional equipment or by the community with support from a specialist that will guide their operation.
He recalled that in the previous meeting with stakeholders of Bureh at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, the Chief Administrator and other relevant players that were present including the current Head-woman and the former headman agreed for a private sector management model of the facilities, he furthered that they were there to ascertained the decision taken by stakeholders from the community people themselves. He stated that the aim of government is to elevate Bureh beach into a top-tier tourist spot, fostering local employment and business opportunities for the community.
After thorough discussion and further consultation among themselves, Bureh community unanimously agreed through Head-woman Representative, Pa. Tucker for a private person to manage the facilities for five years and hand-over to the community who would have understudied the management of the facilities.
