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The Bo District Council has commenced the construction of a new 39-bedroom hostel facility at the Njala University Towama campus, part of a €500,000 initiative funded by the European Union (EU).
The project, formally titled “Strengthening Sustainable Local Economic Development and Social Accountability in Bo District,” is designed to generate revenue for the local council while addressing critical accommodation shortages for university students.
According to Vivian Senesie, the Council Chief Administrator, the hostel is a strategic asset aimed at strengthening the council’s resource base to ensure financial independence and improve service delivery. The facility is expected to be managed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with operations handled by a private bidder selected by the council.
During the launch ceremony at the construction site, EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jacek Jankowski, urged the Bo District Council to ensure the contractor completes the facility by early 2026.
Ambassador Jankowski noted that the hostel is intended to do more than ease logistical burdens; it aims to enhance social interaction and academic proficiency among students. He also used the occasion to issue a stern warning to male students regarding Gender-Based Violence (GBV), emphasizing that such acts have no place in modern society and are crimes punishable by law.
Students have welcomed the development, citing high transportation costs and safety concerns associated with living off-campus.
Speaking to Politico, student Mamawa Gassama said the current situation is difficult. “From where I stay to campus, I spend not less than 15 Leones to come to campus each time for classes,” she said.
Gassama appealed to the council to prioritize female students when allocating the new rooms. “Boys can endure a lot of challenges without any problem, but it is difficult with girls. I know that they need it as well, but I am pleading that preference is given to females,” she added, citing safety vulnerabilities.
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, commended the EU for its interventions across various districts, including Bombali, Kenema, Karene, and Pujehun. He noted that in addition to the hostel infrastructure, the broader EU-funded project has provided the council with internet facilities and training for staff and councilors on monitoring, evaluation, and open governance.
