Government Compensates Family Le300,000 for GTI Construction Land in Bonthe
Sia Lucy Kannah The government has compensated the Lebay family, landowners, for providing land for the construction and development of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) Mattru Jong, Bonthe District.
According to the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), the family was presented with a cheque worth Le300,000, equivalent to Le300 million under the former currency, during a ceremony held at the GTI Mattru Jong campus.
The compensation forms part of government efforts to promote equitable access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), while equipping young people with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Sarjoh Aziz Kamara commended the Lebay family for making the land available, describing the contribution as important to expanding technical education. He said GTI Mattru Jong would help young people develop practical skills in agriculture, construction, automobile mechanics, furniture production and other trades.
He also stressed the need to protect land allocated for public educational institutions and ensure that such facilities remain available for future generations.
Furthermore, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr Tura Senesie, called for sustained government support and permanent security for the institution. He said GTI Mattru Jong could become an important centre for skills development, employment and wider economic growth within Bonthe District.
He encouraged young people to consider technical careers, including electrical engineering and welding, while urging communities to protect institutional equipment and land from theft and encroachment. He further called for investigations into reported theft and destruction of agricultural equipment and urged government, communities and other stakeholders to support the institution’s development as a potential centre of excellence.
Bonthe District Land Commissioner Foday M Wai commended the landowners and government officials involved in securing the site. He acknowledged contributions from the late Moses Probin and late Hon PC A B Sheriff, as well as Dr Turay Senesi and other officials involved in the land process.
Town Chief Edna J Tucker thanked government officials and community stakeholders for their cooperation in securing the land. She also raised concerns about substance abuse among young people, particularly misuse of Tramadol, and called for collective action to address the problem.
The ceremony underscored the government’s efforts to expand technical and vocational education across Sierra Leone.