President Ernest Bai Koroma Tuesday 10th June officially commissioned the Sea view estate developed by Regimanuel Gray (SL) Ltd.
In his key note address, President Koroma noted that the development of the Sea View estate “will send a symbolic message that residential estate developments can be done in Sierra Leone according to International standards” and that the “presence of a foreign private interest in the development sends a strong message that to all well meaning investors that Sierra Leone is an investment destination.”
The President said he was aware of the “threats of security of the land buildings machinery and equipment from neighbouring encroachers who are mining the beach sand in an uncontrolled and unregulated manner.”
He maintained that such actions cannot continue and instructed that “the issue of sand miners currently encroaching” be addressed. “law enforcement agencies are instructed to take all permissible action to follow through on this matter” he warned that “such will be the action for all other cases of this nature” adding that “we must make sure that this country private property is protected and the law is respected by all.”
The President ended by pledging that “a few years from today there will be signs of hope for this country and hopefully within five to ten years from today this country will have risen from the bottom to the middle of the human development ladder
Earlier the Managing Director William Ort said “This once vacant piece of property could have easily fallen into the chaotic and unplanned development that has been typical of the surrounding area.”
He stated that they “have not only prevented that from happening but we’ve transformed the site into an orderly and well planned development that would become a permanent fixture on the landscape of Freetown.”
He explained that the Sea View estate “would house 400 families and a secure and serene environment.
This is a mixed use community which when completed will contain 200 single family detached houses and 200 apartments, a recreation centre, retail shops, hotel and restaurants.
Of course as with all Regimanuel Gray projects a complete site infrastructure is provided – this includes the water and electrical distribution networks, covered drainage and paved roads.”
Mr Ort stated that when they started there were those who said it could not be done and moreover not here.
He said “We accomplish what nay-sayers say could not be done by hard work and sheer determination.”
The Managing Director disclosed that since they started operations some four years ago theywe have employed over 600 managers technicians and artisans we anticipate employing 500 more personnel this year as we expand our operations to the Grafton and waterloo projects.
Statements were made by the Ghanaian High Commissioner, the Chairman of the NASSIT Board of Trustees, Minister of Works and President Chamber of Commerce.
The Chairman of the occasion Employment and Social Security Minister Minkailu Mansaray also promised that “Within 24 months I will plead with the President to commission all the houses in Makeni, Bo and Kenema”