According to Mr. Koroma, “It is no doubt in the interest of Sierra Leone’s economic development aspirations and this would not be an ordinary international airport but one which would have an airport city, just like the seaport extension.” He added that the international airport at Mamamah would definitely create hundreds of jobs for youth, as well as unleash investment opportunities, boost tourism and from what the country would derive from taxes, the country’s economy would experience a boost.

Earlier, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Leonard Balogun Koroma had disclosed the possibility of Freetown becoming a regional flight hub with the construction of the Mamamah Airport.

According to the minister, the construction of the airport will attract more airlines, connect Sierra Leone to the world and open up the country for business.

He said the prospects for development are enormous and endless with the construction of a new airport and airport city with an economic zone that will further attract more tourists.

The minister said building a national railway network for cargo and passengers is also crucial for Sierra Leone as such development will serve a regional purpose to benefit neighboring countries like Guinea and Liberia.

He made this disclosure while speaking on the importance of the transportation sector and continued support from the private sector towards national development strides in an exclusive interview shortly before he left for China.

“Transportation and the movement of people and goods is the future of the economy in the world, Sierra Leone included,” he pointed out, adding that the current government is focusing on such strides.

He mentioned the recent port extension project as one of the steps to achieve this milestone, noting that the expansion of other parts of the port plus the construction of more berths will ensure the accommodation of more vessels and by extension more business.