The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) in collaboration with the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) has on Saturday, February 5, 2022,concluded a three-day monitoring of the construction of the Bandajuma-Liberia Road project.
The monitoring was part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) and SLLCAto foster collaboration on a range of developmental programs.
Officials of the European Union and the National Authorizing Officewere also part of monitoring.
The Bandajuma -Liberia Border Road project which was launched by the Government of Sierra Leone with support from the European Union (EU).
Financed under the European Development Fund (EDF), the project aimed at restoring major national axis and promoting regional integration.
The field monitoring/visitwas geared towards engagingthe Management of CSE, sub-contractors, vendors and NAYCOM especially stakeholderswho are the beneficiary communities to help them understand the general function of the local content agency and roles in supporting its successful implementation and possible impact on their communities.
Speaking to the Management of CSE, EuropeanUnion, National Authorizing Office and NAYCOM officials,the Director General of SLLCA,FodebaDabohsaid that the work of the agency cutacross every sector including works and construction, hence the reason for the field visit. He said that Agency monitors compliance with all local content requirements as they relate to recruitment, procurement, training, and skills transfer for the youths who would eventually take those roles as experts.
He maintained that the Agency would serve as facilitators rather than regulatorsto create a viable business environment for investments.
NAYCOM coordinator, Augustine Kelly, said that the objective of the Youth Skills Development along the Bandajuma-Liberia Border is to contribute to the economic transformation that creates decent jobs and increase productivity to address increasing youth vulnerabilities.
He disclosed that theGovernmenthas put in place targeted youth employment programs; enacted national employment policy which aims at addressing and improving labor relations and conditions of service of workers, and ratified National Local Content Policy for Sierra Leone which aims at ensuring that there are linkages between foreign companies or enterprises and the local economy, thus promoting employment of Sierra Leone citizens through participation in the private sector.
The Project Manager, CSE, AssNjai informed the director general that the company has employed over 85% of locals, and one of them serving in the managerial level,and four highly technical engineers who are quantity surveyors.
He said that his company has trained over 100 localswith supported from the European Union through NAYCOM, adding that after the trainings a good number of them have been employed by CSE.He also said that though there are challenges along the line, they have been able to complete 85% of the road project.
Njai stated that bringing foreign experts into the company costs huge sums of money, noting that he would like to see Sierra Leoneans stepping into that space. He said that the company is willing and ready to complywith the local content laws to the letter.
Paramount Chief of Sowa Chiefdom, Lahai Sowa stated that his community has benefited immensely from the project with the employment of the youth who have become self-reliant, and contributing to the development of the community. He said that a good number of them have also benefited from the EU, NAYCOM skills transfer in various areas of the project.
He commended the director general for a tremendous work done, noting the role of the Agency is very critical for economic growth.
By Stephen V. Lansana