The extension work which commenced just about two years ago was fully completed before the target completion date of September 2018.
Speaking to journalists, the Country Manager for Bollore, Fabjanko Kokan highlighted that one of the objectives for engaging the press is to set up a proper channel of communication not only for journalists but for Sierra Leoneans in general to know more about the work of Bollore.
He explained that from 2016 when they signed an agreement for the port expansion, “we have been welcome and accepted by the President and the Government of Sierra Leone,” adding that the government accept 20% shareholder responsibility for the construction of the extended Freetown Terminal facility. He added that the proceeds from these shares would go directly to the Government and People of Sierra Leone and not to any political party or individual.
The $120M investment, according to Claurinda Morgan, Human Resource Manager of Bollore, is in line with government’s development aspirations to transform the quay into a large state-of-the-art trans-shipment hub in West Africa.
She said: “As at December, 2018, we have 6 managers who are Sierra Leoneans and are now heads of units and departments and we have just five expatriates.” She went on to say that by 2014 they had nine expatriates. “So it shows that how much the succession plan has gone. Some of the expatriates have left and replaced by Sierra Leoneans,” she added.
The port expansion project has created hundreds of job opportunities for youths and also increased revenue generation for the government.