July 15, 2021
Kuwait Fund’s Deputy Operations Director for West Africa, Thamer ALFAILAKAWI, has briefed the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Kuwait, Her Excellency Haja Isata Thomas, on the respective projects currently being implemented by the Fund in Sierra Leone.
The Deputy Operations Director for West African countries made this briefing during a Working ‘Cassava Leaves’ Lunch organised by HE Haja Ishata Thomas.
Welcoming Thamer ALFAILAKAWI, Ambassador Haja Ishata Thomas thanked him for prioritizing her invitation amidst his busy schedule and lauded his unwavering commitment to Sierra Leone, adding that she was looking forward to having a fruitful deliberation with him.
“Kuwait Fund has initiated and completed a number of development projects in Sierra Leone ranging from road construction projects to major health care facilities. The Government and people of Sierra Leone are pleased with your work. On behalf of His Excellency the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio, the Government and the people of Sierra Leone, I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the leadership of Kuwait Fund for its continued support to finance meaningful development, and I urge the Fund to consider Sierra Leone in further development projects,”Amb Thomas said.
Speaking on the respective projects, Kuwait Fund’s Deputy Director of Operations for West Africa, Thamer ALFAILAKAWI, revealed that a team from Kuwait Fund would be sent to Freetown for an appraisal on the proposed construction of the Sierra Leone Cancer Treatment and Diagnostic Centre in October this year.
“In February this year, Kuwait Fund approved a supplementary loan for the completion of the three tertiary hospitals in Freetown to meet the increasing demand for medical services and improve the quality and access to tertiary healthcare services in the country. The 86km rehabilitation portion of the Kenema-Pendembu Road project has been completed, while Phase II of the Hillside Bypass Road is nearing its completion. Work to complete the Lumley—Tokeh Peninsula Road is ongoing,” he stated.
He went further to inform the Ambassador of the progress made regarding the construction of the proposed Babadori—Juba Water RAW Storage Reservoir, indicating that the project is at the tendering stage and that a Chinese firm has been contracted to commence feasibility studies. He added that the project would provide safe drinking water to various communities in Lumley and Juba after completion.
The Deputy Director expressed gratitude for the Working ‘Cassava Leaves’ Lunch and promised to reciprocate in a similar gesture in the future.
Responding to the summary update from the Deputy Operations Director, Ambassador Haja Isata Thomas observed that she was thrilled with the progress made so far, especially the proposed visit to Sierra Leone for the appraisal of the Cancer Treatment and Diagnostic Centre.
“The construction of a Cancer Treatment and Diagnostic Centre equipped with modern health care machines is part of His Excellency, Dr Julius Maada Bio’s desire to develop the health sector. Its construction will redefine the health sector narrative in Sierra Leone,” she maintained.
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) is an economic development agency based in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Established in 1961, the agency provides grants for technical assistance and other types of technical assistance, contributes to international and regional development finance institutions, and other development institutions, among others.
In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 13/07/2021 extensively debated and committed the Bill entitled: “The Breast Milk Substitutes Act, 2020”, to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny and consultations.
The Bill is being piloted by the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Augustine Sandi.
The Bill is aimed at providing for safe and adequate nutrition for infants and young children by promoting breastfeeding and regulating the market of breast-milk substitutes and for other related matters.
Members of Parliament who contributed to the debate deemed it as non-controversial and considered it as a good initiative by Government necessary for sanitizing safe breastfeeding of infants and young children in Sierra Leone.