By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – A transformative European Union-funded initiative has brought an end to longstanding tensions between local farmers and livestock owners in Bombali District, Sierra Leone. With the completion of a state-of-the-art cattle rearing house, costing Le 2 million, communities now enjoy a harmonious coexistence, marking a significant milestone in regional development.
Historically, disputes between farmers and livestock owners have hindered agricultural progress, with crops often falling victim to wandering livestock. However, the newly constructed facility provides a sustainable solution, ensuring livestock are properly housed and managed, mitigating conflict and promoting agricultural productivity.
Simultaneously, female students at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) are rejoicing over the inauguration of a modern 50-bed hostel, valued at over 6 million Leones. This remarkable facility, funded by the European Union, accommodates 100 students (2 students per room) in comfortable, conducive living quarters, addressing long-standing challenges of inadequate student accommodation.
The European Union committed 2.5 million Euros to the construction of the cattle rearing facility and the 100 bed female hostel.
Davida Chambers, a final-year Public Health student at UNIMAK, expressed profound gratitude for the upgraded amenities, citing improved toilet facilities adding “I am more comfortable in this new facility, for unlike the previous one, we are two in a room and each of us has a table and chair to sit and study.” Similarly, Madusa Gbanyawai, a third-year student, lauded the self-contained design of the new hostel, “For the previous hostel, the restroom was outside of the hostel, but the new one is self-contained,” heralding it as a significant improvement.
These sentiments were echoed during a bus tour organized by the European Union and facilitated by the Initiative for Media Development (IMDEV), providing stakeholders with firsthand insights into the project’s impact.
Under the management of the 20/20 Consortium, the cattle rearing house boasts advanced facilities, including solar-powered water systems, a slaughterhouse, and caretaker accommodations. Director Mohamed Bashiru Daramy outlined ambitious expansion plans, aiming to accommodate up to 500 cows and 1,500 goats and sheep, (but currently housing 10 cows and 33 goats) in the 18-acre land. “The cattle rearing house is meant to buy and sell livestock” while emphasizing the project’s potential to create employment opportunities, particularly for women in Bombali District.
He also mentioned value addition as one of the biggest advantages. “Most of the steaks we eat are being imported because of the way we slaughter our meats and the way we cut the meat. If we do not cut the meat the right way you will not get certain types of meat that you want because everything is being cut differently,” he disclosed.
“Just by the way you cut the meat, chances are that you will realize more money from it or less,” he opined.
Vivian S. Senesie, Chief Administrator of Bombali District, recounted the EU’s commitment to addressing local priorities, citing the successful implementation of pilot projects initiated in 2018. Ambassador Manuel Muller, Head of the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone, commended the collaborative efforts and urged residents to contribute to local development through tax compliance.
“The support that we have been giving to Sierra Leonean projects is successful. We are not here to do our projects or our priorities, rather, we support the priorities of the government of the districts, civil society and the people,” he maintained. SKS/16/5/2024