Freetown — A Sierra Leonean based in Germany Ebenezer Owen Mason has disclosed plans to revamp the country's railway service in a bid to promote the socio economic development.

According to Mason after the train services ceased operations in the 70s there was need to recommence the said transport system if the All Peoples Congress government of President Ernest Bai Koroma could allow him implement the project with partners he has already identified in Germany.

He emphasized the importance of train services in the country, a feat he said would help minimize transportation costs and reintegrate people in various communities.

"We need the train again in this country as most people prefer to live outside Freetown if there is an easy and affordable means of transportation in the country," he said adding that besides his partners another company in Germany has also agreed to raise funds for the implementation of the scheme.

"All what I need is the support of the APC government because this is not a one man show," he said.

He cited example of the train from Turkey to Iraq which he said was built without any machines.

"I believe we can make it with all the manpower that we have in Sierra Leone. The train from Turkey to Iraq covers 7,000 kilometers and it was built sixty years ago. So if the government accepted the project, I believe we will use the man power that we have to implement the project," he said.

He disclosed how the project would create employment facility for thousands of people in the country including skills they would acquire during the cause of the project.

"We are going to construct what we use to call 'Loko' at Waterloo which will house materials and training skills for train services in the country," he disclosed.

Mason who intends to come with a diesel train said the Germans will provide the coaches and engines for the train.

He recalled his first project in Sierra Leone which he said was not successful.

"I first got funds from the Germans to construct a bulb factory in the country after I realized that cars were running with defected lights in the country. But the project was unsuccessful due to other people's selfish interest and political gains," he disclosed.

Mason left the shores of Sierra Leone in 1969 to study agriculture in Germany. He now owns a factory which produces clothing in Portugal.