By: Mohamed M. Sesay
As they set to commence operation of the New Freetown City Project on the 3rd of December 2022, the Chairman of EAP Groups of Companies Professor Alex O. Philips, has yesterday the 15th of November 2022, intimated journalists that the Motherland City Project for the construction of affordable housing facility would commence soon and that, the project sets to employ 1000 Sierra Leoneans.
Professor Philips also noted that as the world moves toward digitalization, the EAP Group of Companies Ltd intends keeping their projects transparent and relevant through working with actors across society. He said the Motherland City when completed, would l save each Sierra Leonean citizen staying in Freetown 125 hours a year. He added that a lot of this would come from reductions in traffic and congestion. He added that the average peak -time vehicle speed in Freetown is currently 4 mph, causing drivers to lose up to 70 hours per year. Professor Philips therefore, assured that the Motherland city Project after completion, would provide better traffic management and quicker and safer roads which would give drivers up to 60 hours back annually.
Elucidating the social benefits of the project, Professor Philips continued that the Motherland city initiative would prioritize people, both residents and visitors. He said the project would also improve the quality of life for everyone in the city. He intimated that the project also caters for more efficient transport services, smart parking apps, digitized government services, and even simple things like public WiFi and smart street furniture with charging points.
Professor Philips also highlighted the direct positive impact on citizens’ lives as the project is designed specifically with people’s needs and experiences in mind. He disclosed that the ferry depot and terminal, hospital complex, schools, water park, wax museum, shopping malls, restaurants, bar and entertainment centers are of huge social benefits for the reduction of street and anxiety adding that, these facilities will bring countless opportunities to the rest of Africa and the rest of the world.
“A contextually adapted and Citizens-centric approach in the construction of the New City with an industrial village, using both human and technological resources, can bring multiple benefits for municipalities, particularly those that are struggling with specific problems – such as inefficient waste management systems, lack of civic participation, or traffic and congestion”, he said.
Professor Philips concluded by reassuring journalists that the Sierra Leone’s Motherland City of hope when completed, would improve net spending inflows, crate jobs and contribute to tax revenues by generating substantial amounts of taxes to the Local and Central Government Authorities.