According to the Chief Minister, the government has spent approximately Fifty Billion Leones in the free quality education, which is a clear indication of how it inherited a near bankrupt state, and something he termed as: ‘The worst economic crisis since independence in Sierra Leone, an economy with no penny from development partners”.
He furthered that the President and his New Direction are well focused on education, adding that it has been manifested in the President’s referencing of how pivotal education is for sustainable development.
He said the theme of their government’s five year development plan is; ‘Education for Development’, emphasizing that education is not just an end to itself, but rather a means to an end, and that end being sustainable development.
University operation has been a bit slow over the years, Prof. Francis said, citing that Sierra Leone used to be the Athens of West Africa, but over the years, it has seen poor leadership not only at national level, but also at the level of the country’s tertiary educational institutions.
“Our leadership is poised to ensure we drive the process of the transformation of the higher education provision”, he said reechoing the essence of bringing onboard the public private partnership.
Being an educationist himself, he said university establishments are always happy to be at the receiving end, rather than putting in the effort to look for the opportunities.
Amazing enough, the university leadership is taking the leadership of a public private partnership bring onboard the initiative of a Sierra Leonean in Canada who was opportune to witnessed the presentation by FEMAB and taking the bold step to come to Sierra Leone, amidst all the challenges, they are here today to turn the Sod for the construction of an ultramodern university.
Prof. Francis encouraged and challenged colleague Minister in the education sector that he was to attend five key ceremonies of turning the sod in other areas in the country with a key partnership with FEMAB.
This project is sure to benefit pupils who are now enjoying the free quality education.
Aboidun Aguda is the Managing Director of FEMAB Properties Limited. The company, he said holds expertise in bespoke techniques, in and across housing infrastructural development, mining, project management, building design and construction management among others.
He said coming to Sierra Leone was never in their agenda, but having been contracted by a Sierra Leonean Mayialla Turay who witnessed one of their presentations and opted for such to be replicated in the country.
He said FEMAB Properties Limited will be providing about thirty-five million United States dollars in a form of loan for the commencement of the construction work, while IPAM will give in the remaining fifteen million dollars, which United Bank for Africa (UBA) has consented to provide the university in a form of credit.
Upon completion, the project will provide residence campus for about 3,000 students.
