Ambassador Jongopie Stevens signs OFID loan agreement
His Excellency Jongopie Siaka Stevens, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany and Permanent Representative to all United Nations Agencies and other International Organisations based in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday 23rd February 2011 signed the OFID Loan Agreement of US$19.0 million for the Three Town Water Supply and Sanitation project for three provincial cities of Bo, Kenema and Makeni in Sierra Leone at the OFID headquarter in Vienna. (Picture: Ambassador Stevens and OFID Director-General, Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish during the signing ceremony)
Making a statement after the signing ceremony, Ambassador Stevens, on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, expressed gratitude to OFID for the provision of this loan which he said completes the resources required for the full implementation of the project of US$ 61.0 million comprising US$ 42.0 million from the ADB Resources which was signed by Government on 3rd December 2010. He also stated that the proposed ‘three towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project’ is one of the main priorities of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone in the process of laying the foundations for poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth aimed at realizing the Millennium Development Goals.
Furthermore, Ambassador Stevens indicated that the objective of the project is to provide improved access to adequate, safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services for the inhabitants of the three provincial cities through (i) rebuilding the existing infrastructure and (ii) improving sanitation in schools, health centres and other public places.
Signing on behalf of the OFID was Mr Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, Director-General, who said that his organization was very pleased in giving this loan to Sierra Leone in helping the Government address the issue of poverty reduction through the provision of safe drinking water and good sanitation facility for the poor. He said their relationship with Sierra Leone has existed since 1972 and assured Ambassador Stevens of the organisation’s continued support to the Government.
Ambassador Stevens flanked by Mr. Kondeh, Head of Chancery and Mr. Breitenthaler, Honorary Consul General in Austria
Present at the signing ceremony were senior officials of the OFID; Sierra Leone’s Honorary Consul to Austria and the Head of Chancery at the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Berlin.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
