US$4million project commissioned at Waterloo 500 youths employed
All roads lead to York Road; Waterloo’s US$4 million factory was commissioned to process and manufacture plywood, Ceilo text, mosquito coil and wooden coal. The commissioning was held on Thursday 17th April 2014 by the Presidential Youth Aide, Bai Mahmoud Bangura. The project has so far employed about 500 youths, mostly women in the Waterloo Community. (Photo: Suma and employees )
Giving an overview of the project, the Managing Director of Timber Harvesters, Processors and Exporters (SL) Limited said he has all materials available to undergo construction work, which is expected to be completed in three months time. Alie Suma who joined the Sierra Leone Timber Harvesters and Processors Association as Organizing Secretary, said he is very happy to have started the process of contributing to national development; and for taking the lead in President Koroma’s Agenda for Prosperity.
Apart from his Timber Processing factory at Mano Corner and the new one that was commissioned, Suma is currently putting up another factory in fulfillment of Government Policy, which is to add value to timber before exported out of the country. ‘I trust in the government because it knows how and when to do things that will enhance national development,’ says Suma.
It can be recalled that the Government of Sierra Leone stated clearly that whosoever wants to involve in timber trade must add value to it by opening a factory. Suma told his audience that he had to find some partners in China to establish a new factory. “I had to convince them to pour in their resources so that we establish a standard factory,” he said, and added that they have added value to the trade, create employment for about nine hund4red people and reduce crime rate in the Waterloo Community.
Allan Barrie is the President of the Timber Association. He revealed that timber processing must not be an enemy to people and the environment as they have put in place mechanisms to preserve the environment by planting more trees. He added that the government should see that as great partners that are ready to develop the country at all times.
Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture, Dr. S.T.A. Kamara said State House is always supporting development initiatives like the factory that is under construction. He noted that the President is will support such an initiative because it brings about development. The President has the sector at heart and want to see that value is added to the Timber Industry,” Dr. Kamara said.
Presidential Youth Aide, Bai Mahmoud said what Suma has demonstrated shows that he is one of the Sierra Leoneans that responds to government’s Agenda for Prosperity. He informed the gathering that everywhere in the world it is the private sector that serves as a major employer. “I am optimistic that more benefits will come when the factory kick-starts operations,” he said, and added that young people must make good use the opportunity accorded them by giving their fullest cooperation at all times so that the project succeeds. Mr. Bangura called on the people of Waterloo to embrace the project, which has come to reduce poverty in the country.
Other speakers include the Vice President of Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Stanley Bangura and Unisa Kamara. The event was chaired by the Member of Parliament representing Constituency 94, Hon. Kemokoh Conteh.
By Abu Bakarr Kargbo
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