Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie has informed newsmen in Kenema about government’s plan to transform the Kenema Plane Field into a micro economic zone which will benefit the entire people in the Eastern Region and Sierra Leone in general.
Minister Turad informed the Press that the Kenema plane field is a state-owned property and therefore government will utilise the said portion of land in the best interest of the country.
According to him, the Micro Economic Zone will enable various business platforms and with unique allocation of various businesses to ensure standards as it is happening in other civilized countries in the world.
He pledged government’s commitment in making sure the needful is done amidst the massive encroachment by some members of the public, hence to ensure a facelift on the said facility.
Minister Turad went further to express utmost dissatisfaction over the manner in which construction activities have rendered the airstrip useless for its initial intended purpose.
He said his ministry will do a re-survey to determine the length at which people have invaded the plane field before government will make a final decision regards the utilisation of the said land.
Dr Turad Senesie revealed that after the re-survey, should there be a course for government to sell the said portion of land, it will be well planned and made public.
He also stated that should government decides to sell, then proceeds from the sale of the said land will be used to purchase another land elsewhere in order to construct a plane field.
The minister however informed all those who have purchased portion of the said land at plane field from anyone, to present their documents to the ministry but assured all that government will give a human face to whatever process.
During a conducted tour wherein, the minister was accompanied by the Director of Surveys at the ministry, the press, civil society representatives, the police among others, the minister halted ongoing construction activities until government makes a final decision regards the use of the plane field.
