Mayor Aki-Sawyerr presents Freetown Cable Car Feasibility Study to Vice President

By George M.O. Williams

The Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, presented the Freetown Cable Car Feasibility Study report to Vice President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh in Freetown.

Conducted over 24 months, the detailed multidimensional Feasibility Study was funded by C40 Cities Finance Facility which in turn is funded by the German, French, United Kingdom and United States governments.

Implementation of the Feasibility Study was led by GIZ with teams based in Germany and Freetown, collaborating closely with the Freetown City Council.

The results of the feasibility study confirm the technical and financial viability of the 3.6km pilot line that will run from Government Wharf to Kissy Ferry Terminal with a total of 5 stations and a journey time of just 15 minutes. With full provision of solar power built into the project cost and competitive fares estimated at NLe16 from Government Wharf to Kissy Ferry Terminal, the Cable Car will not only reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, but it will also be affordable and will improve economic productivity in the city.

Describing the Cable Car as an important initiative that will enhance the beautification of Freetown, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized the critical role of sustainable urban transportation in promoting economic growth. He expressed his appreciation to the team of technical experts for their detailed presentation and assured the Freetown City Council of the government’s support.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed her gratitude to the Hon. Vice President, the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs and especially to the Minister of Transport for their encouragement and support for the Freetown Cable Car project since its initial conceptualization to date. “I also thanked the Minister of Development and Planning, the Deputy Minister of Lands and the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President for making time to attend today’s presentation,” she said.

The presentation  was attended by representatives of GIZ and C40 Cities Finance Facility from Germany, expert technical consultants (HEAT and Ropeway), the head of economic cooperation at the German Embassy in Sierra Leone as well as a representative from POMA, a leading manufacturer of Cable Cars. The Deputy Mayor, Chairs of the FCC Transport and Urban Development Committees, the Deputy Chief Administrator, the City Engineer, Integrated Urban Expert and other FCC staff were also present.

The next phase of the project is raising the finance required to construct, operate and maintain the Cable Car mass public transit system. “I am pleased to report that some progress has already been made in this regard; we are confident that full financing will be secured,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said.