A delegation from the Pujehun District Council, including the Works Engineer, Finance Officer, IEC, and Deputy Chairperson, officially handed over a major construction contract to Samgit Logistics Engineering and Services.

The contract involves the construction of five lockable stores at the main market in Gendema, located in the Soro-Gbeima Chiefdom.

The handover ceremony was attended by several key figures, including Paramount Chief Mustapha Jenge Massaquoi III, representatives from the Traders Union, and local traditional leaders. As part of the event, the location for the new stores was officially identified.

The project, funded by local revenue collected from taxes, business licenses, and property taxes, highlights the importance of community contributions.

According to the Finance Officer, this “own-source revenue” is critical in empowering local councils to make development decisions without solely relying on central government funding. The council encouraged the public to continue paying their taxes, emphasizing that these contributions directly fund important projects like the Gendema market stores.

Gendema’s strategic location as a key border town between Sierra Leone and Liberia makes it a growing hub for commerce.

The construction of these stores will provide much-needed storage for traders and farmers, enhancing their income and livelihood. It will also increase the council’s revenue through taxation and create job opportunities for local youth and contractors.

The council’s delegation emphasized the need for community ownership of the project, as it is funded by their tax contributions.

The Works Engineer urged local stakeholders to monitor the project’s progress, ensuring that quality standards are met. Stakeholders, in turn, promised to support the contractor in meeting deadlines and delivering a successful project.

The stores are expected to play a crucial role in boosting local trade and economic development, helping to make Gendema an even more vital commercial hub in the region.