Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL), a subsidiary of Bollore Group, has been highly acclaimed by key government officials for the company’s massive investment at Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
The Minister of Transport and Aviation, KabinehKallon was joined by the Chairman of National Commission for Privatization (NCP), Umaru Napoleon Koroma; General Manager of Sierra Leone Port Authority (SLPA), Dr AbdulaiFofanah; and the Chairman of SLPA, Manso Dumbuya, on a conducted tour on Freetown Terminal Limited’s facilities on Tuesday, 18th September,2018.
The company signed a concession agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone in October 2010 for an initial period of ten years. In 2016, Parliament ratified an additional 10 years port concession with the government becoming a shareholder with 20%.
FTL’s extension project involves a new quay of 270meters at -13meters, 3.5 hectares of new storage area, two ship-to-shore cranes and four Rubber Tyre Granting (RTG) cranes.
The new Quay started operation on 29th August 2018 with 3780 TEUS of extra capacity, 168 reefers plugs and a power plant of six megawatts designed to provide 100% of needs.
Bollore’s Country Manager, Fabjanko Kokan said they are working as a team to transform the port into one of the bests in the world. The port’s development, he said, will benefit unborn generations.
“I am happy that 35 Sierra Leoneans have been trained to operate the new cranes, which have the capacity to handle over 40 containers per hour.
Kokan pointed out that his company’s investment has helped reduce the time for clearing containers at the port and provides more business opportunities to the country.
He thanked the government of Sierra Leone for the trust and confidence it has in the company to be a key partner.
Transport and Aviation Minister, Kabineh Kallon commended the great job done by the company and assured that government will continue to provide a sound legal and investment opportunities framework for the benefit of the nation.
He revealed that the government will continue to look for further expansion projects so that bigger ships will berth at the quay.
Chairman of the National Commission for Privatisation (NCP), Umaru Napoleon Koroma said he is highly impressed with the company’s investment, which adds to the country’s development drive.
“We are hoping for a further expansion so as to enable us have the largest port in the Sub region,” he said, and added that there are greater opportunities ahead for Sierra Leone to become a transhipment hub.
Chairman of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA), MansoDumbuya commended FTL’s investment and encouraged the company to continue with the good works.
