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Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh has shifted focus toward regional collaboration and local empowerment as key drivers of West Africa’s engineering future, urging stakeholders to turn conference discussions into concrete action.
Speaking at the inaugural regional conference of the West African Federation of Engineering Organisations (WAFEO) in Freetown, Dr Sengeh emphasised that the true measure of engineering success lies not in policy documents but in visible, lasting improvements to everyday life. He challenged engineers to ensure that infrastructure projects across the region deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
Highlighting the importance of regional unity, the Chief Minister underscored the need for harmonised standards among ECOWAS member states. He noted that effective integration depends on shared technical frameworks, professional excellence, and dependable infrastructure systems that connect countries and economies.
Dr Sengeh also highlighted the growing urgency of climate resilience, calling on engineers to rethink how infrastructure is designed and built. He stressed that future projects must withstand environmental pressures while still supporting development goals across West Africa.
A central theme of his address was promoting local capacity. He advocated strongly for increased participation of West African contractors in major projects, arguing that prioritising regional firms would boost job creation, strengthen expertise, and retain economic value within the region.
Looking ahead, Dr Sengeh assured participants that the outcomes of the conference would not remain symbolic. He pledged to present the resolutions to
President Julius Maada Bio, in his role as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, ensures that recommendations influence policy at the highest level.
He concluded by calling for sustained mentorship within the profession, encouraging experienced engineers to guide younger counterparts and help build a new generation capable of driving West Africa’s long-term development agenda.
