Led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Samura Kamara, the Special Representative on United Nations Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Yang Tao and delegation Friday 8 January, 2016 met with President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma at State House in Freetown.
Welcoming the delegation, President Koroma expressed regret for not being able to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in December last year but said the outcome of that summit undeniably strengthened the relationship between China and Africa.
According to a State House report from Freetown, President Koroma added that the dividend of the outcome of the summit was the US$ 60 Billion pronouncement made by the Chinese President Xi Jinping. The money is to be used in various sectors especially in the area of infrastructural development in Africa.
The president highlighted three main projects including the Mamamah Airport project, the Rubber project and the Rokel Water project which he said are due to commence shortly. He described the Mamamah project as a transformational project which Sierra Leoneans are waiting for. He further stated that contractors have pre-financed the airport project to the tune of US$ 10 Million, and the first phase of the project will cost is US $200 million dollars.
Meanwhile, President Koroma also meticulously discussed the Africa Common position in the reform of the United Nations in which he urged China to not only support Africa, but also influence other countries about what he referred to as simple request by Africa to be represented especially in the United Nations Security Council.
“Africa must be given enhanced position to determine the affairs of the UN,” President Koroma emphasized.
Regarding this, the president disclosed that he and other selected African presidents are having a C-10 meeting in Namibia next week to discuss the African Common position in the UN. He noted that the UN should serve as an example of good democracy and democracy of inclusiveness.
The president also expressed his profound gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their unflinching support to Africa, especially Sierra Leone during the Ebola scourge. He promised that Sierra Leone will always do what it takes to strengthen the bilateral relationship between China and Sierra Leone.
In his response, Yang Tao, who was accompanied by Zahn Yanbo, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, said he was impressed with the outcome of the meeting in Europe in Europe and the other meeting in Johannesburg, South-Africa.
“He was also impressed by President Koroma’s efforts and dedication in diverse ways.”
“What I saw in this visit in terms of energy supply and infrastructure amazed me,” he said.
He disclosed that China is in full support of Africa’s move to call for reform in the UN Security Council and further disclosed that the people of China desire to see China-Sierra Leone cooperation continue.
7 Comments
$60 Billion from China? No country in Africa has never received that amount of money from China! In fact all monies China has given to Africa in the past decade isn’t up to half that amount. Otherwise I’ll myself travel to China to collect just $1m!!
If that money is used for the projects mentioned and not for the pockets, I will praise President Dr. Bai Koroma for his interests for Sierra Leone. Please ask for the removal of the Lebanes trash from Sierra Leone. It will be very good the country, the people and the government as well.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for relaying this info to the public,I also want to commend our able president for a job well done for the years under his presidency, however as a country implementing democracy I believe the president must listen to the voice of the people for the people and by the people, looking at the project of mammah airport shouldn’t have being our priorty project for the government for now, at least there is an airport at lungi which could have being revamp and at least bring a bridge which will run from Freetown to lungi. These type of project will bring in not only job opportunity but also expands the city of Freetown to lungi,were in there will be easy access to lungi airport.drivers will be force to pay toll which will bring in revenue to the government. I really want the president to look into this case more sympathetically and allow the people to excise their vocies.
I suggest some of the money should be use to clean off Freetown.The rubbish in the city nearly wants to declare it own independent on our people.
Now that Ebola it gone,but we wouldn’t want to see or heard of another terrible break out, due to the unhealthy environment.
Health is wealth,the life’s of our people matters.
Share the riches with the youths, by
Employing them to clean up Our City.
Hundreds of people died every year in F/town, & within the country do to unhealthy environment & in proper sanitations. WHY?
I ask mr president & his ministers to take a walk at some of those Slums areas within F/town, & across the country and ask themself if their family were to leave in such CONDITION.
How would they FEEL?
The life’s of the people leaving in those slum matters.
The progress of political life is community development. That’s all I would have to say.
I say great thanks to the media crue,for keeping us updated.
God have Marcy on our people
God Bless Salone
I suggest some of the money should be use to clean off Freetown.The rubbish in the city nearly wants to declare it own independent on our people.
Now that Ebola it gone,but we wouldn’t want to see or heard of another terrible break out, due to the unhealthy environment.
Health is wealth,the life’s of our people matters.
Share the riches with the youths, by
Employing them to clean up Our City.
Hundreds of people died every year in F/town, & within the country do to unhealthy environment & in proper sanitations.
I ask mr president & his ministers to take a walk at some of those Slums areas within F/town, & across the country and ask themself if their family were to leave in such CONDITION.
How would they FEEL?
The life’s of the people leaving in those slum matters.
The progress of political life is community development. That’s all I would have to say.
I say great thanks to the media crue,for keeping us updated.
God have Marcy on our people
God Bless Salone
I suggest some of the money should be use to clean off Freetown.The rubbish in the city nearly wants to declare it own independent on our people.
Now that Ebola it gone,but we wouldn’t want to see or heard of another terrible break out, due to the unhealthy environment. WHY?
Share the riches with the youths, by
Employing them to clean up Our City.
Hundreds of people died every year in F/town, & within the country do to unhealthy environment & in proper sanitations.
I ask mr president & his ministers to take a walk at some of those Slums areas in F/town, & across the country and ask themself if their family were to leave in such CONDITION.
How would they FEEL?
The life’s of the people leaving in those slum matters.
The progress of political life is community development. That’s all I would have to say.
I say great thanks to the media crue,for keeping us updated.
God have Marcy on our people
God Bless Salone
I suggest some of the money should be use to clean off Freetown.The rubbish in the city nearly wants to declare it own independent on our people.
Now that Ebola it gone,but we wouldn’t want to see or heard of another terrible break out, due to the unhealthy environment. WHY?
Share the riches with the youths, by
Employing them to clean up Our City.
Hundreds of people died every year in F/town, & within the country do to in proper sanitations.
I ask mr president & his ministers to take a walk at some of those Slums areas in F/town, & across the country and ask themself if their family were to leave in such CONDITION.
How would they FEEL?
The life’s of the people leaving in those slum matters.
The progress of political life is community development. That’s all I would have to say.
I say great thanks to the media crue,for keeping us updated.
God have Marcy on our people
God Bless Salone