President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio has officially turned the sod for the construction of a $270 million new airport terminal with two runways of 3.2 kilometres by 45 metres at sea level each, which will be adequate to accommodate every existing aircraft in the world today. The new airport and terminal project upon completion is expected to boast a larger terminal and runways that can accommodate more passengers and flights thereby increasing revenue.
The project is aimed at attracting more airlines and increasing cargo traffic by boosting the infrastructural system of the Lungi International airport to the admiration of international passengers. The project is a bid by government to jump-start the country’s economy. The New Lungi Airport project is expected to have a maximum of one million passengers per year and took over the former government’s $400 million loan Mamamah airport project, which was proposed to be completed within 4 years.
The New Lungi Airport project is a ‘Build Operate and Transfer’ (BOF), which exempts government from carrying any debt. President Bio informed that, the project will create 2,000 new jobs for youths in the country especially locals from that part of the country. He said 1967 was the last time proper infrastructural development was done on the existing airport, and that the dream to standardise the airport to international standard is now, stressing that the Lungi community would have been just another place without the airport.
The President envisioned the $270 million megaproject as one that will attract more tourists, investments, increase the country’s GDP, create employment and overall turn-around on the infrastructure of the district and country in particular. He said the project upon completion will attract more passengers and flights hence assured the district of more development projects by his government.
The Vice President of SUMMA International Group from Turkey revealed that the $270 million project will last for 24 months, and reaffirmed that with the political will and support from other line ministries, they are assuring the country of quality work.
He informed that since their company was established in 1989 to date, they have successfully completed more than 80 turn-key-projects in 14 countries including eight in Africa; Senegal, Niger, Chad, Egypt among others, where they constructed new airports and ongoing projects.
Head of the Office of Presidential Infrastructure Initiative (OPII), Dr. John E. Tambi revealed that his office is charged with the responsibilities of planning, designing and implementing the transformation of all government infrastructure projects into reality.
He revealed that the project is based on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement, with the project expected to be completed and pay for itself without any debt on citizens. Dr. Tambi said the entire project will be constructed on over 5,000 square metres to accommodate a maximum of one million passengers per year.
He reassured that the launch is a demonstration that everything is possible if citizens can work as a nation together with one mindset. He said the new airport facility’s increased size will not only provide jobs but will also accommodate larger planes and handle much more air traffic than presently. Like any other new airport across the world, upon completion the new Lungi International Airport in addition to direct employment, it will require other services including engineering, information technology, spare parts, security, and services like catering and cleaning to boost the local economy.
Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Sedde Gbereh of Kaffu-Bullon Chiefdom, on behalf of his subjects and colleague chiefs, expressed delight over the project saying their chiefdom ‘will not diminish that soon’ as a result of the project, as opposed to the Mamamah airport by the former government. The Chief said, their prayers were answered when news of the construction of another airport was raised by the former government, which he said would have completely deleted their chiefdom from the surface of the country.
He assured government of their unreserved commitment towards the project.
By Mohamed Kabba