VP Juldeh Jalloh Calls for Faster Completion of BADEA-Funded Education Projects in Freetown
Kanja Sesay Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has called for improved project management, stronger institutional coordination and the timely completion of education infrastructure projects funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
The Vice President made the call during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects at Prince of Wales Secondary School and Milton Margai Technical University’s Brookfields campus in Freetown.
The inspection formed part of efforts to assess the progress of BADEA-funded educational facilities, identify challenges affecting implementation and ensure that the projects meet their intended objectives.
During the visit, Dr Jalloh expressed concern over several challenges affecting project execution, including contractor-related issues, financial constraints, administrative difficulties and weaknesses in project management.
He emphasised the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure that educational facilities are completed efficiently and delivered for the benefit of students, teachers and other beneficiaries.
The inspection covered educational infrastructure projects designed to improve teaching and learning conditions at the two institutions.
The developments include classroom construction, modern educational facilities, renovation of existing buildings, staff accommodation and perimeter fencing.
The projects are intended to improve educational infrastructure, provide more suitable learning environments and strengthen security within the institutions.
At Prince of Wales Secondary School and Milton Margai Technical University, the Vice President assessed the progress of construction and renovation activities while examining issues affecting implementation.
The inspection provided an opportunity to identify outstanding work and determine areas requiring further attention before the projects can be completed.
During the monitoring exercise, Dr Jalloh identified several obstacles affecting the implementation of the BADEA-funded projects.
These included contractor-related difficulties, financial and administrative challenges, and weaknesses in project coordination.
The Vice President stressed that successful project delivery requires effective management throughout every stage, from initial planning and financing to construction and final handover.
He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among contractors, implementing institutions and other stakeholders responsible for executing the projects.
According to the Vice President, addressing implementation challenges is essential to preventing unnecessary delays and ensuring that infrastructure investments deliver their intended benefits.
He also indicated that findings from the inspection would inform a report documenting progress, outstanding challenges and areas requiring corrective action.
Dr Jalloh emphasised that improved coordination is necessary to ensure that publicly supported development projects are completed according to their intended objectives.
He called for greater attention to project planning, financial management and construction supervision.
The Vice President’s concerns highlighted the importance of ensuring that institutions responsible for implementing infrastructure projects work together effectively.
He stressed that coordination should extend beyond the construction phase to include proper planning, resource allocation and final delivery.
The inspection also reinforced the need to maintain quality standards while addressing delays and other operational difficulties.
The inspection highlights ongoing efforts to improve educational infrastructure and strengthen oversight of development projects in Sierra Leone.
The BADEA-funded initiatives are expected to provide improved learning facilities, staff accommodation and security infrastructure at beneficiary institutions.
However, the challenges identified during the inspection demonstrate the importance of effective project management and sustained supervision.
The Vice President’s monitoring exercise places renewed attention on the need to ensure that infrastructure investments translate into completed and functional facilities.
As the government continues to monitor BADEA-funded projects, addressing contractor-related, financial and administrative challenges will be important to achieving timely delivery.
The findings from the inspection are expected to guide further action aimed at improving implementation and ensuring that the projects deliver lasting benefits to Sierra Leone’s education sector.