The government of Italy has reportedly granted a loan to the government of Sierra Leone through the ministry of Transport and Aviation for the rehabilitation of the Freetown International Airport together with the road between Tergrin Ferry Terminal and the airport.
According to sources close to the Airport Authority, the loan for the rehabilitation was approved by the Italian government to rehabilitate the airport in 36 months’ time with the objective of managing the airport for a specific period of time to recover the loan.
The minister of Transport and Aviation, Kemoh Sesay is on record to have said the loan for the rehabilitation was in line with his strategic plan for the development of his ministry through bilateral and multilateral relations.
He said, “the airport is the first point of attraction to any investor or tourist and therefore deserves a facelift to match with international standard and to compete with other international airports around the world.
He said the route leading from the Targrin Ferry Terminal to the airport would be upgraded to two lanes.
The rehabilitation package, according to the Minister, would comprise the Lungi, Loko Massama and Port Loko roads to ease transportation when the ferry is not functioning.
He concluded that the rehabilitation process would be participatory in which the community would be fully involved by way of employment creation for the community youths.