On Wednesday, 15th September 2021, a cross-section of Ministry of Defense (MoD)/Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Senior Management visited the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA). The purpose of the visit was to request SLRA’s support on various developmental projects being carried out by MoD/RSLAF.
The Director General (DG) SLRA, Engineer Amara Kanneh, welcomed the delegation, commenting that it was the first time that such a high powered delegation from that RSLAF was paying a visit to SLRA.
After the usual courtesies, the Deputy Minister of Defence (DMD), Colonel (Rtd) Muana B Massaquoi informed the DG of SLRA that the MoD/RSLAF team had a range of requests to make. To this end, he gave permission to the Commander Joint Force (CJF), Major General PK Lavahun to brief on the main purpose of the visit.
Having received permission from the Deputy Minister of Defence, the CJF requested for SLRA’s assistance in paving the roads within RSLAF barracks, the parade ground at the Armed Forces Training Center (AFTC) and Wilberforce Hockey Pitch. However, according to the CJF, most pressing, was the need to pave the roads around the newly constructed Myohung Officers’ Mess in time for the official handing over to RSLAF in December.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of RSLAF, Lieutenant General Sullay I. Sesay also reiterated the urgency of paving the roads around the Myohung Officers’ Mess by December and called on the Director General of SLRA to use his good office to make this possible.
In response, Engineer Amara Kanneh informed the team that over the years, Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has been extending support to MoD/RSLAF; citing the paving of some of the roads in 34 Military Hospital as an example. He also stated that in their 2022 budget, SLRA has included construction of roads within Juba, Murray Town and Wilberforce Barracks including a 6km road project in Benguema Barracks. Regarding the request from the MoD/RSLAF Senior Management, the Director General of SLRA promised to approach Minister of Finance to solicit support whilst reiterating that it is the responsibility of SLRA to build roads and they will continue to ensure that road construction projects extend to RSLAF. To this end, Engineer Amara Kanneh committed to conduct an assessment visit of the Myohung Officers’ Mess environment on Tuesday 21 September, 2021
In conclusion, the Director General of SLRA, Engineer Amara Kanneh thanked MoD/RSLAF Senior Management for the visit and implored them to feel obliged to seek assistance from SLRA at any time.
Media Operations Cell
Headquarters Joint Force Command
Cockrill
Freetown
