The outgoing Chinese Economic Counsellor to Sierra Leone Zou XiaoMing has urged the government to go all out to ensure that the construction of the new Mamamah airport goes ahead because, he says it has a lot of economic benefits for the country. In an exclusive interview, Mr Zou said the problem now is whether to build a new airport or use half of the money to restructure Lungi airport as well as buying new ferries.

“Crossing the river with ferry is dangerous and will always pose problems with time as well as cost implications. But with the Mamamah, one just have to drive on the road at your time with no problem.” The first benefit he said will be an increase number of flights into the country with the possibility of the airport becoming a sub-regional hub. “Secondly, the airport will create many jobs for Sierra Leoneans and will improve tourism in the land.” He noted however that the road leading to the airport is yet to be developed and opined that this is the opportune time for the government to develop an industrial park, which he said is needed to build the country’s infrastructure. If you look around, the country has no industrial park and it is difficult to do business when the factories are scattered all over the city.

With concentration of the factories in one area, it will be easy for businesses to operate easily because there will be a factory that produces one part of the product that the other factory needs, so it will be easy to get things done between them.’ He also said that it is time for Sierra Leone not only to produce raw materials but also to produce finished products. Mr Zuo said the power grid line passes along that route and it will be easy to get power supply for the industrial park as electricity is of great importance.

He also said that the River Rokel water project that the government is embarking on can also be an added advantage because if they can build the industrial park, the project will be able to supply water and electricity to produce finished products. “With an Industrial park, some of the products will be sent out as raw materials and they can come in again as raw material which can be made into other products in the country.” Mr Zou said China is planning to build a textile industry in Sierra Leone and it will be built around that area, which he said will help the government in creating an industrial park as the airport will be close by to receive and airfreight cargoes. He said Sierra Leone’s Industrial Development is key to the sub-region and to China since China is the largest trading partner to Sierra Leone. This he said should not only be in raw materials but also in finished products that can be exported to China. Friday October 16, 2015

Awoko