Transport & Aviation Minister Balogun Koroma Visits World Bank

Sierra Leone’s Transport and Aviation Minister Hon. Leonard Balogun “Logus” Koroma has on Thursday August 8 2013, met with some members of the World Bank Africa Region in charge of Sustainable Development Department, headed by Jamal Saghir at 1818 H Street North West Washington DC USA, and held pertinent discussions relating to the Bank’s input that will lead to accessible and Sustainable Transport system in Sierra Leone.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission I.S. Conteh, Head of Chancery Mrs. Isatu Sillah and Information attaché Pasco Gerald Temple, Hon. Leonard Balogun “Logus” Koroma thanked World Bank’s Director of Sustainable Development Department Jamal Saghir for its general assistance to Sierra Leone and in particular his ministry which has three projects with the World Bank.

The Minister gave an extensive briefing to Jamal Saghir about the status of the current transport sector in Sierra Leone and requested “an expansion in the World Bank’s portfolio relating to the transport sector in Sierra Leone.

“Without any gainsaying, it is difficult for any Country to develop without a sustained, affordable and accessible transportation network.” Said Hon. Koroma.

The Minister and his delegation further held a series of deliberations with senior Transport Economist Kavita Sethi, Alternate Executive Director office of the Executive Director Africa 1 Peter Larose and Mr. Sheku Bangura Senior Adviser office of the Executive Director Africa group 1and reiterated his request for the expansion of World Bank’s portfolio to other areas of his Ministry.

In a very frank and practical terms, Hon. Koroma and the world bank team spent more than five hours deliberating on the “Sierra Leone Transport Sector Policy and Strategy : Looking to the future”, identify the current problems and deliberate on issues that gives bearing to the two parties for possible areas of intervention.

They carefully looked into all the eight parastatals in his Ministry (Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation (SLRTC), Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA), Meteorological Department, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA), Sierra Leone Shipping Agency (SLSA) and Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA)): and said, each of them need World Bank’s touch in the form of technical and technological assistance.”

Reacting, Jamal Saghir thanked Hon. Leonard Balogun “Logus” Koroma for his initiative by making a stop at the World Bank to check on the status of his Ministry, in so far as projects with the World Bank is concern.

He praised the minister for his vast knowledge in each of his parastatal and said his awareness of his ministry has made it easier for the duo to collaborate.

World Bank’s Director of Sustainable Development Department Jamal Saghir immediately ordered for copies of all the World Bank projects with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to be handed over to Minister Leonard Balogun “Logus” Koroma for ease of reference and his consumption.

Earlier, Alternate Executive Director office of the Executive Director Africa 1 Peter Larose thanked the Hon. Minister and his team for the dialogue and described the visit as a real honor.

He said such a visit has the propensity to ease some of the challenges and expedite actions.

Senior Transport Economist, Africa Transport Kavita Sethi thanked the Minister and entourage for their visit and described the meeting as very “fruitful”.

She joined the Hon. Minister and the Directors in thanking Senior Adviser office of the Executive Director Africa Group Sheku Bangura and the Embassy of Sierra Leone for facilitating the meeting.

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