The National Youth Commission in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Sierra Leone Local Content Agency, Pujehun District Youth Council, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Compagnie Sahelnnie D’Enterprise (CSE) and Inros Lackner has certified 250 youth graduates as Stone Crusher Plant Operators, Auto Electricians, Heavy Duty Mechanics, Rock Drilling Machine Operators, Welders, Excavator Operators, Front End Loader Operators and Stone Crusher Machine Operators.
The project, “Youth Skills Development and Training” along the Bandajuma-Liberia Road project is supported by the European Union under the European Development Fund (EDF) through the National Authorising Office of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
The Deputy Commissioner Emerson Kamara, advised the youth to properly utilize the benefits of the training program in order for them to contribute towards the development of Sierra Leone.
He said, the Competency Based Training Program was purposely designed to build the capacity of youth in different construction skills, so that they too can be trained and fit for future employment opportunities within the road construction projects of Sierra Leone.
He also said, about 1,540 young people benefited from this program, and this is the certification ceremony for the second and third batch of beneficiaries which was certified by the National Council of Technical Vocational and other Academic Awards (NCTVA).
He therefore called on beneficiaries to think out of the box and look for sustainable livelihood programs, to serve as meaningful con
Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Lusine Kallon, speaking on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, equally thanked the EU, CSE and GoSL for constructing the Bandajuma – Liberia Highway. He also congratulated the trainees for taking their time and energy to complete the training exercise. The Deputy Minister also cautioned the youth, to refrain from violence activity and drugs abuse which he said will continue to destroy the future of young people in Sierra Leone.
He furthered that the relationship between EU, CSE and the GoSL will continue to grow in the interest of bringing more development programs at the door steps of Sierra Leoneans.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment towards the support of youth’s capital development programs as a fundamental priority under the New Direction Agenda of President Julius Maada Bio.
The acting Chairman of the Pujehun District Youth Council Mohamed Kallon, expressed profound thanks and appreciations to the EU, CSE and GoSL for investing in Human Capital Development in Sierra Leone through such Competency Based Training Project.
Chairman Kallon also applauded the EU, CSE and GoSL for the construction of the Bandajuma – Liberia Highway. He emphasised that the construction of the aforementioned road will continue to serve as a great development that will sustainably benefit the economic development and growth of Sierra Leone.
Kallon expressed glad tidings that the completion of the Bandajuma – Liberia Road Construction would serve as an important conduit in providing sustainable change of living condition of people, increase economic activities, create new development opportunities, establish national and international trade network, massive infrastructural development and other development programs among many benefits.
He also appealed to the EU, CSE, NATCOM, and GoSL to continue training youth in other skills training programs. He also requested for an increase of the number of beneficiaries in subsequent training programs so that more youth will benefit from skills training programs.
Chairman Kallon concluded by calling on the support of EU, CSE and GoSL to engage the Pujehun District Youth Council in the monitoring and beautification of the Bandajuma – Liberia Highway upon completion of the Road Construction
Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Holger Rommen, First Counsellor, EU Delegation to Sierra Leone congratulated the deserving trainees for a well meritorious certification achievement.
He stressed that, the benefits of the construction of the Bandajuma – Liberia Highway is endless. He added that one of the major benefits of the partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union has helped since 2004 to-date which is the construction of 365km roads; including the Bandajuma – Liberia Highway through Mano River Union.
He maintained that, the construction of the Bandajuma – Liberia Highway is indeed a major achievement which covered a distance of about 100km and crosses two major rivers (Moa River and Wanjei River) and bridges.
“This road has significantly explored connectivity as it was impossible to make a journey from Bandajuma – Liberia Border within an hour”. He said.
He assuted all and sundry that the road will bring down operating costs, create a solid based economy foundation, economic growth and international trade; hence, investment In infrastructural development and human capital development is a fundamental development goal and a priority area between the European Union and the Government of Sierra Leone.
He concluded by disclosing that the European Union funded both the road construction project and the competency based training program. He reassured participants of a consistent contribution and commitment of the European Union towards the development and growth of Sierra Leone.