It could be recalled that, the Minister of Transport and Aviation together with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development recently signed the loan agreement amounting to three hundred and eighteen million United States dollars from the China Exzim Bank to commence the works. The Minister of Transport said he has finally signed the project agreement and that all financial supports have been assured for the project works to start.
“Myself and the Director of Mamamah International Airport Project visited the proposed site and layout plan for the sitting accommodations for President and other ten thousands guests” he revealed adding “Engineers have completed the construction of their works yard and quarters”. The Minister reiterated that the Mamamah International Airport Project is one of the most important flagship projects under Government’s Agenda for Prosperity. According him the project is one most economically viable project with a multiplied effect of providing jobs, airport infrastructure such hotels, restaurants, private investment, conference halls, car parks for travelling passengers that will singularly contribute to the GDP of Sierra Leone since independence. The minister informed that, the project will create over four thousand jobs and has an economic viability and rapid growth for the state. The Mamamah International Airport will have a runway about 4500 meters long. He noted that the project will usher in a new city, Koyah City, pointing out that Freetown cannot be modernized and expanded. “The mudslide and flood disaster of
Freetown Capital was a wakeup call that the city of Freetown is already overcrowded and thus needs to be decongested with this brand new city which will an aerotropolis, gravitating within 21000 acres of land around Mamamah Airport” he stated adding that the people of Sierra Leone can use this opportunity to have a new city. The minister further informed that, Sierra Leone has the potential to having bigger planes for landing and the creation of a new airport will address the problem. “Just after Ebola only two aircrafts used to run on our single airport, but today, under my tenure as minister, 13 aircrafts are utilizing the Lungi International Freetown Airports” he informed. He went on to say, the increase in more aircrafts landing, signify that, a modern Airport is needed that will accommodate more aircrafts than ever. He said most countries in the world have two or more airports for any emergency and other necessities.
He used the opportunity to denounce rumours making round that Lungi International Airport will be abandoned as false and fictitious. According to him, the Lungi International Airport will remain as an auxiliary airport and maintain its purposes.
He informed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank never denounce the project as alleged by distractors He said the two partners only advised them to wait because of the Ebola. He further stated that all compatriots and friends of Sierra Leone from the petty traders to the drivers, Okada and keke riders and the Ataya bases are all welcome to be present at this auspicious and historic commission on 1st March 2018.