Sierra Leone plans to improve electricity supply and possibly construct a new port to support the movement of mining commodities out of the country.Investment in infrastructure was taking a precedent, said President Julius Maade Bio.“Especially the infrastructure that supports the extractive sector – and particularly in electricity, ports, bridges and telecommunications.”According to Bio, making it faster, cheaper and easier to trade was at the core of the government’s modernisation work in the country.He said upgrades to the current network of ports was ongoing and plans for a new port were under way. Currently the Freetown Port remains the main gateway in and out of the country, handling some 80% of all trade.Bio in 2019 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese government to construct a $70-million harbour that would primarily be used for the fishing industry. This, in turn, would create more capacity at the other harbours in the country for other commodities – including those in the mineral resources sector.He said developing the mining sector required a stable energy supply, making the Cote D'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea (CLSG) line so important.According to Bio work on this transmission and distribution line was at an advanced stage and was expected to be completed this.
INSERT: Developing the mining sector requires a stable energy supply.– Julius Maade Bio
