By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED) successfully organized a 2-Day ‘Training of Trainers’ in Project Development and Costing Methods on Public Investment Management. The training occurred at the Country Lodge, Hill Station, Freetown, on the 13th of December, 2023.
The initiative, led by the Public Investment Management Department of the Ministry, aimed to bring together key stakeholders from Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Local Councils (LCs), and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). The primary objective was to enhance expertise in project development and cost estimation within the public sector.
The Training of Trainers was designed to provide practical knowledge and equip participants with the necessary skills for developing robust projects and understanding cost estimation methods within the Public Investment Management cycle. The ultimate goal was to empower participants to create financially viable projects for their respective MDAs and local councils, while also preparing them to train colleagues in the future.
During the event, Deputy Development Secretary I, Usman Cherry Conteh, representing the Minister of MoPED, expressed gratitude to the European Union to Sierra Leone (EU) for their valuable contributions to the success of the training. He emphasized the significance of addressing deficiencies in project conceptualization and costing methods within Sierra Leone’s public investment management system. Conteh highlighted that the training aimed to harness the expertise within the government and the private sector for effective and efficient project development.
Philippe Mauran, representing the EU delegation, assured participants of their commitment to providing necessary training, emphasizing the enduring relevance of project development and costing methods. He encouraged participants to embrace their role in improving people’s lives through effective project management.
Alpha Kapri Bangura, Director of the Public Investment and Management Department, outlined the potential benefits of the training, including cost and time savings, improved project quality, and heightened interest from development partners and the government to fund projects. Deputy Director PIM, Patrick Makaya, highlighted historical challenges faced by various entities, such as non-cooperation from beneficiaries, cost overruns, and insufficient consideration of Operation and Maintenance costs.
Conclusively, Musa Randy Kabia, Senior Non-Key Staff from GOPA PACE, delivered a comprehensive presentation on project development and management, focusing on aspects like preparation, appraisal, and templates, among others. Supported by the EU State Building Programme and implemented by GOPA-PACE, the training is set to continue on the following day.
