Concord Times (Freetown)
Cecil Nelson
24 June 2009
Freetown — Minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Zainab Hawa Bangura Thursday officially handed over 8.2 acre of land at Aberdeen to the Libyan ambassador for the construction of a five-star-hotel in the west-end of Freetown.
During a brief handing-over ceremony at the compound of the former United Nations helipad, Mammy Yoko, Mrs. Bangura said the presentation of the land to the Libyan African Investment Company-Sierra Leone (LAICO) was yet a demonstration of president Koroma's vision to invest in the service industry thereby creating jobs particularly for the youth.
"The construction of the hotel marks yet another important day for the promotion of the tourism sector in Sierra Leone," she said.
The minister said government was looking forward to receiving a construction plan, while appealing to the Libyans to first and foremost consider utilizing Sierra Leonean nationals both for labour employment and professionals when work would have commenced.
Minister of tourism and culture, Hindolo Trye commended the UN for their support to Sierra Leone and encouraged the Libyan ambassador to take advantage of the opportunity as they have always worked as a team.
He stated that the five-star hotel would not only create job opportunities for the country, but that it would further improve the country's infrastructural needs.
The tourism and culture minister expressed appreciation to the government of Libya, noting that the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries will continue to thrive.
The officer-in-charge of the United Nations integrated peacebuilding office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), Gebremedhia Hafon, expressed appreciation to the government through the minister of foreign affairs for its generosity in allowing them to use the land as a helipad.
Libyan ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al-Harari Abdulsalam lauded government for giving them the opportunity through LAICO to contribute to the development of tourism in the country.
"...when the project would have been completed, the hotel will be among our best in the world with a record of meeting international standards," the ambassador concluded.
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