Parliament Approves Gento Group Seaport Deal
By: Edward Dictionary Caulker
In a historic decision, Sierra Leone’s Parliament has ratified a Concession Agreement with Gento Group of Companies (SL) Limited for the development and operation of a cutting-edge seaport project. The agreement, approved on Thursday, July 11, 2024, represents a pivotal moment in the country’s infrastructure expansion and economic strategy.
Situated in the Dublin and Ricket communities of Banana Island, with a logistics hub at Kent, the project aims to establish a world-class seaport facility. Speaker of Parliament, The Right Honourable Solomon Sengehpoh Thomas, highlighted the project’s potential to boost national revenue and foster economic stability.
Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh urged financial institutions to robustly support the seaport’s realization, emphasizing its role in transforming Sierra Leone into a regional transshipment hub.
Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma lauded the project as a historic milestone, noting it as the largest 100% Sierra Leonean-owned initiative of its scale. He commended Gento Group’s CEO, Mohamed Gento Kamara, for his vision, predicting significant benefits in job creation, economic stimulation, and infrastructure improvement.
Opposition Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara acknowledged community benefits anticipated before the main project’s launch, emphasizing community involvement and ownership to empower Sierra Leoneans, especially the youth.
Chief Whip of Parliament Hon. Dixon Rogers stressed the broad benefits for all Sierra Leoneans, from boosting tourism to supporting community development and providing annual funds for local projects.
Members of Parliament reaffirmed their commitment to overseeing transparent and efficient project implementation, echoing Minister of Transport and Aviation Alhaji Fanday Turay’s endorsement of the seaport’s strategic importance in meeting trade demands. With a natural deep-water harbor—Africa’s deepest at 23 meters—the facility aims to handle up to 60 million tons annually, enhancing import-export efficiency and national competitiveness.
Scheduled to begin operations within three years, the seaport project promises initial profitability and long-term economic gains. Environmental sustainability measures are integral, ensuring minimal ecological impact while fostering local employment and inclusive growth initiatives.
Minister Alhaji Fanday Turay emphasized the project’s alignment with President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for national progress, highlighting bipartisan parliamentary support as a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s future economic landscape.
The ratification of the Gento 100% Sierra Leonean Seaport Project signifies a transformative leap forward in the nation’s development trajectory, poised to deliver enduring benefits for future generations.
