By: Saidu Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, alongside her team, which includes the Deputy Minister Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams and Development Secretary Peter N. Sam-Kpakra, recently led a distinguished high-level ECOWAS delegation to provisionally accept the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
The delegation, which visited from February 4th to 5th, 2024, expressed satisfaction with the depot’s 98% completion status as of mid-January 2024. Discussions also revolved around securing additional land for future depot expansion, a request formally submitted in 2023.
Commissioner Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, responsible for Internal Services at the ECOWAS Commission, expressed gratitude to the Government and People of Sierra Leone for their invaluable support. He emphasized the pivotal role of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in enhancing regional peace and security, underscoring ECOWAS’s commitment to combatting terrorism and instability across member states.
Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security at the ECOWAS Commission, acknowledged President Julius Maada Bio’s unwavering advocacy. He highlighted the significance of the depot’s completion, signaling ECOWAS’s readiness to effectively address security challenges.
In a courtesy visit preceding the acceptance ceremony, Commissioner Darma commended Minister Barlay for her ministry’s contributions to the depot’s realization. Discussions also addressed critical matters such as security enhancements, power supply, stormwater management, and land expansion for future depot needs.
Deputy Minister of Defense, Sierra Leone, Col. (Rtd) Muana B. Massaquoi, extended gratitude to ECOWAS and contractors for their exemplary work, emphasizing the depot’s role in strengthening regional security.
Minister Kenyeh Barlay expressed pride in presiding over the depot’s completion, highlighting Sierra Leone’s commitment to peace and security initiatives on global platforms. She urged swift finalization of the depot’s handover.
The provisional acceptance of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot represents a significant milestone in regional security efforts, reflecting collective determination towards a peaceful and prosperous West Africa.
ECOWAS resident representative in Sierra Leone, Amb. Arouna Moussa, expressed delight at the remarkable achievements made in the construction of the logistics depot. He praised both the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of Sierra Leone for their tremendous support. Amb. Moussa also commended the contractors and resident staff at the depot for their dedication to completing the project.
In attendance were also the ECOWAS National Office Team led by Mrs. Laygbay Lilian Amadu, the two contractors, SOGEFEL and BANCA, and the Depot commandant and Deputy, among others.
