The establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Koya chiefdom, Port Loko district by ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) has fulfilled one of the prioritised dreams of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

The Government of Sierra Leone partnered with ARISE IIP, a company that designs, finances, conceives and operates industrial ecosystems across African Countries to establish the SEZ in Sierra Leone.

Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Amb. Tamba Lamina said: “The vision of President Bio is to make sure that industries are spread across the country, but he has prioritised Koya chiefdom to be the first point of call for same. This simply means, the Government through its partner (ARISE IPP) is going to establish different manufacturing industries in the chiefdom which would create job opportunities for thousands of your people and also boost economic activities.”

The minister assured that the benefits that surround the establishment of the Special Economic Zone in the chiefdom would surpass the Airport that the past Government intended to construct therein, while appealing to the residents to work with authorities as every process including agreements and documentations of the establishment would be as transparent as possible.

Paramount Chief, Kompa Bomboli III of Koya chiefdom, expressed gratitude on behalf of his chiefdom residents to the government for such a manifestation of love to his chiefdom.

He added he has always told his subjects that President Bio is going to make Koya chiefdom his retirement home owing to the fact that he has his farm land there.

He continued by highlighting the benefits that his chiefdom would stand to gain when the Special Economic Zone is established in their community and called on all his subjects to support President Bio for a better future for Koya and Sierra Leone.