Sierra Leone News:I supervised many projects in my two years in Sierra Leone-Zou Xiaoming

Business

Chinese Economic Councellor to Sierra Leone, Mr Zou Xiaoming has said that during his two years working in Sierra Leone, he supervised and completed many projects in the country. In an exclusive interview at his OAU Village office, yesterday Tuesday, Mr. Zou said his term is over and will be leaving on Thursday after a successful stint in Sierra Leone. The Economic Councellor said some of the projects he supervised during this two years included the new Foreign Affairs building at Tower Hill, the Youyi Road (Regent Grafton Road), the Bo Stadium, repair to Parliament and so on. “Thdese are all aid projects by China and my office supervised and coordinated all of them. The Bo Stadium, we had to redesign the enire plan and I was travelling to Bo often to get things done. We did the same for the Youyi Road which was constructed in about two years.” Mr Zou said all the aid projects undertaken by China in Sierra Leone were done to improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans and they should impact on the economy of the country. He said there are other projects that are in the pipeline that he would not disclose now because the negotiations are on between the two countries. Talking about the ebola, the Economic Councellor said when the ebola struck Guinea, he and Ambassador Zhao immediatrely went to work by contacting the Ministry of Commerce in China as they are in charge of aid. “We envisaged that the virus will cross the border and wanted to prepare Sierra Leone. China immediately sent protective gears worth $150,000.” Mr Zou said the materials were cleared from customs one day before the virus struck Sierra Leone and the country was able to make use of these materials immediately. “As the ebola intensified in the country, President Koroma made a clarion call for international partners to come onboard and help. This we did and we worked with the then Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Abu Bakar Fofanah to put a list of materials needed. In 10 days we prepared the list and sent it to China and they responded with a chartered plane load of the materials.” Mr Zou said his office worked tirelessly to bring in personnel, equipment and materials as well as the mobile level P3 lab and some of his staff were sleeping in Lungi to make sure the packages were delivered on time. When asked about the recognition and appreciation from Sierra Leone, the Economic Councellor said they are satisfied, as Sierra Leoneans appreciate all what they did and the government and NERC were always appreciative of their continued effort to end the virus. “I am leaving Sierra Leone after almost winning the fight, the counting to zero is on and I hope and pray that no other case re-occurs after months of battle. I hope that on the 8th of November Sierra Leone will be declared free of ebola and the country will move towards their post-ebola recovery program that is intended to move the country forward.” The Economic Councellor said he is leaving but he has been replaced by a very good economist by the name of Mr Shen Xiaokai who is said to have worked in the Ministry of Commerce and has brilliant ideas to help Sierra Leone succeed. Wednesday October 14, 2015

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