By Sallieu S Kanu
President Dr Julius Maada Bio on Friday, 23 August 23, 2024, officially turned the sod for the construction of seven new buildings and the rehabilitation of 24 existing structures at Bo Government Secondary School, according to a statement from the Office of the President.
This project is part of a US$65 million initiative funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
President Bio expressed gratitude to the principal, board of directors, and Bo Government Secondary School stakeholders for their support of his educational agenda. He conveyed his excitement about the project, emphasizing that it would be closely monitored to ensure quality materials, timely completion, and the construction of infrastructure that will endure.
He urged the contractor to meet the required standards, warning that companies delivering substandard work would be blacklisted.
“My government is giving you the tool to navigate the world because I am of the belief that, with education, you will never get stuck anywhere in the world,” he stated.
The President further explained, “As a nation, I am calling on all to grab education in the interest of our children. That is why we are not only going to refurbish the school; we are going to expand it to decongest the classrooms and boarding homes. This is one of the biggest projects, and I am happy because Bo School has contributed immensely to national development.”
Mustapha Wai, the Project Lead for the Project Fiduciary Management Unit (PFMU) at the Ministry of Finance, noted that the project highlights President Bio’s leadership in advancing human capital development. He outlined that the $65 million BADEA project would also benefit other institutions, including Magburaka Government Secondary School for Boys, Kenema Secondary School for Boys, the Prince of Wales Secondary School, Milton Margai Technical College, and Kenema Technical College.
Wai added that the project would create about 1,000 jobs for locals, promote infrastructural development, boost human capital, and support the local economy. He assured that the project would be completed on time.
The Minister and Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Basic Education expressed their gratitude for the project, noting that the additional classrooms, dormitories, and boarding homes would enable more students to enroll and benefit from the Free Quality Education initiative. They emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders and school authorities to realize the President’s vision for education in Sierra Leone.
The event also featured remarks from the Paramount Chief of Kakua Chiefdom and the Principal of Bo Government Secondary School, followed by a tour of the school facilities.