Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray says President Bio’s thirty million dollars loan negotiated at Forum for China Africa Cooperation for the fiber backbone phase two project is in progress and will cover Koinadugu, Kailahun, Bonthe, Pujehun and Kambia districts. Mohamed Rahman Swaray was speaking at the weekly Ministry of Information and Communications press conference held at Youyi Building in Freetown.
The China-Africa Cooperation Forum is a platform established by China and its friendly countries for collective consultation and dialogue and as a cooperation mechanism among developing countries.
Giving an update on the project Mr. Swaray noted that one of the important elements of the loan is that it is given at an unprecedented concessionary one percent interest rate.
He added that the project will cover Koinadugu, Kailahun, Bonthe, Pujehun and Kambia District, citing that fiber will be landed in these places and in addition, they will be using the same resources to do metro rings.
“We are going to do metro rings in the regional capital cities and it will be easy for last mile solutions to take fiber to the home,” he said.
He further said that they will be ensuring to connect all the schools, district councils, city councils and hospitals along the fiber roads to ensure they translate fiber into a much-needed service for people.
It has been over a year and half since President Bio assumed office. The president before taking the mantle of leadership made several commitments to enhance development for the people of Sierra Leone and mindful of these commitments he was able to negotiate for the loan in March 2018. AYV was out in the street of Freetown to seek the views of citizens on their assessment of internet in the country.
Some of the citizens expressed their dissatisfaction in the slowness of internet services in the country, adding that the only time they can have much better internet speed and service is at midnight.
“The internet subscription is so expensive and we are not benefitting from the service” they added.