By Lansana Fofanah.
After emerging as the most responsive bidder (out of eighteen applicants) for the construction of the National Social Security and Insurance Office in Port Loko, Leone Construction and General Engineering Service has officially been handed over the site for the construction work to commence.
Addressing the contractor and stakeholders at the site situated at Lungi highway Port Loko, the General Manager of Administration and Human Resources, Peter Jusu Kenah, said that after conceiving the idea of getting an office in Port Loko, which is now the headquarters of the Northwest Region, they worked out modalities with local authorities to get a suitable land that will house the facilities of NASSIT.
He said that the aim was to extend coverage to their customers just like other regional headquarters in Bo, Makeni and other places. โThere was a procurement process where Leone Construction Company emerged as the successful bidder, โ he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General, the Deputy Director General, Mohamed Gondoe, said that their mandate is to provide social protection using the principles of social insurance as pensioners deserve to have a decent living after retirement.
He said that NASSIT is not an institution that is focused on money making but to service pension scheme.
He said that the new office will be able to provide adequate services to people in Port Loko, Kambia and Karene Districts after the completion of the project. “This is going to be the best regional office because the company that won the bid has a reputable achievement in terms of service delivery,” he said.
He called on the Resident Minister to work in line with the Project Manager to monitor the project.
Project Manager, Abel Onomake, said that they started the journey in 2019 after acquiring the land from the Dumbuya Family.
He said that out of the eighteen contractors, Leone Construction Company emerged as the most responsive company and he believes that the contractor will leave up to the twenty-four months duration period for the construction.
He said that since NASSIT handles documents, the new building will house an ICT facility, solar for alternative energy.
Chiefdom Speaker of Barkiloko Chiefdom, Malarpi MA Tarawally, said that they are now happy that the project is finally kicking off after waiting anxiously. He said that their people used to struggle for their pensions but with this new office, their concerns and worries will be over.
He welcomed and admonished the contractor to work in line with the approved building and also appealed for the implementation of local Content policies in terms of employment for his people
Resident Minister, North-West Region, Haja Isata Kamara said that the establishment of a NASSIT regional office is a dream come true and they would do everything to monitor the process through an inclusive local Content policy.
She said that Port Loko is experiencing massive development under the tenure of the current Government and that they would be able to point at development projects in the district when the time comes.
In appreciation, the Chief Executive Officer, Leone Construction and General Services, Chief Brima Keita thanked the management of NASSIT for reposing confidence in his company. He said that his company is known as a reputable engineering company that has done tremendous and similar jobs in the country. He assured local authorities to work with them for the interest of all.
