AYV News, October 4, 2023
Sierra Leone is all set and prepared to use the ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) Passenger Railcars imported from Japan and expected in country on 26th October, 2023.
When ARISE IIP announced that it is expecting the arrival of seven Passenger Railcars from Japan this month, many questions came up as to how prepared is the country to receive and use these railcars. Many people might not be aware of the fact that already, there are over 220 kilometers of rails installed across over 200 villages in the north of the country. ARISE IIP will soon start construction of ailway depots in respective railway facilities where the trains will be stopping to load or unload passengers and freight.
Once that is done, ARISE IIP will be all set to mark a significant step forward in enhancing the country’s transportation infrastructure and fostering economic growth. The successful implementation of the passenger rail service is poised to benefit both local commuters and the broader national economy.
The Pepel Railway and Port was refurbished by African Minerals Limited with loans provided by China Exim Bank and Standard Bank of South Africa. The rehabilitation of the former Marampa mining railway and port cost a staggering US$1.2 Billion.
After twenty years of operation, the assets were finally transferred to the Government of Sierra Leone in 2020 and now one hundred percent government property.
The Government of Sierra Leone signed the Pepel Port and Pepel – Tonkolili Railway Development, Expansion and Management lease agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms Ltd.
The Agreement is part of the bigger reforms in the mining sector, where the government intends to open the space for more players to participate.
This Agreement will give a 10% free Carry to the Government of Sierra Leone and provide access to rail and port facilities to other bulk mineral producers in the northern corridor.
The project will expand economic activities by providing jobs for Sierra Leoneans and enable passengers’ locomotion from Tonkolili through Bombali to the Port Loko district.
Through this agreement, the company will also introduce passenger rail service that provides communities with improved mobility and trade access, increase mineral export with an additional 20 million MT, 10% dividend to Government, surface rent to landowners, annual royalties, PAYE and other taxes.
Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said that ARISE IIP is a sector specialist firm with a proven record across Africa in managing infrastructure. Stating that they are signing this agreement after several consultations, due diligence and approval from the cabinet with concurrence from the Ministry of Finance.
He furthered that this agreement is in the best interest of the government and people of Sierra Leone and that after the signing, the agreement will be taken to parliament for ratification.
ARISE IIP is a credible company with a reputation for developing and managing infrastructure in Africa. The Agreement is taking a government asset from monopoly to be more accessible.
The project will expand economic activities by providing jobs for Sierra Leoneans and enable passengers’ locomotion from Tonkolili through Bombali to the Port Loko district.
ARISE is a conceiver, developer and operator of high-added-value infrastructure committed to making Africa thrive with an investment of several billion dollars and a good track record across many countries in Africa like Benin, Togo, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire, Tchad, RoC, DRC or Rwanda.
ARISE IIP identifies gaps in African countries that unlock value and create new industries to create local transformation and maximize production, efficiency and cost to generate growth and local value addition.
