New Border Post to Boost Sierra Leone-Liberia Trade and Regional Integration.

Deputy of Planning and Economic Development Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams together with other Government officials, joined the Republic of Liberia and the Vice President of ECOWAS Commission H.E. Damtient Tchintchibidja to grace the " Groundbreaking Ceremony and Site Handover for Construction of Jendema-Bo waterside Border Post Between Republic of Sierra Leone and Republic of Liberia."

The occasion was honored by key MDAs from Sierra Leone including MoPED, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Internal Affairs, Ministry of works, Chief Justice from Liberia, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone and Liberia, and key stakeholders from the ECOWAS Commission.

Welcoming the delegation the Chief of Sorogbema Chiefdom P.C. Mustapha Massaquio Resident at Jendema, and the Chief of Bo Wateside Jointly applauded ECOWAS timely Interventions into Jendema-Bo Wateside community, the two Traditional leaders shared commitment to deepening and sustain the Peace, Economic integration and security for the two community. The P.C. Mustapha Massaquoi, further praised President Bio for the initiative and commended the efforts of the Sierra Leone Ambassadors in Guinea and Liberia and former Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Sidi Tunis.

Representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba. The Director of Research and Knowledge Management, Mr. Patrick Hassan Morlai Koroma appreciated the long-standing bilateral cooperation between Republic of Sierra Leone and Republic of Liberia, noting that the Jendema-Bo Wateside Joint Boarder will not only serve trade motive, but regional integration easy access to member state transport Mechanism with less protocols. Acknowledging the challenges face by many Africa migrants in border crossing, the border Joint Post will significantly leverage significance impact for west Africa Citizens.

On behalf the Minister of Planning and Economic Development Madam Kenyeh Barlay, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rev. Dr Jonathan Titus Williams Minister of Development and Economic Planning, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams, commended President Julius Maada Bio for his commitment to regional integration and encouraged the contractor to uphold professionalism. He underscored the significance of the Jendema-Bo Wateside Joint Boarder post as a Testament of ECOWAS commitment to fostering sustainable development among member states. He cautions the community, and the contractors not to misappropriate the building Material, rather than utilize them for the required motive.

Rev. Dr Jonathan Titus Williams urged the Jendema-Bo Waterside community to take ownership of the Opportunities honor to them, emphasizing on the trade, Economic, security and bilateral benefits of the joint Border Post. Rev. Dr. Williams affirmed Government of Sierra Leone through MoPED to Continuing coordination for more proactive ECOWAS interventions into Sierra Leone and Liberia Republic.

Chief Justice His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr of Liberia assured the ECOWAS Commission of Liberia commitment to strengthening cooperation in the sub-region, and described the border Post construction as a bridge for continuing follow-up Peace, security, trade integration, Economic advancement, and bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Sierra Leone and Republic of Liberia. Affirming that, the Government of Liberia is willing to give greater valuable support to Jendema-Bo Wateside border Post through collective collaboration with strong determination to translate the aspirations of citizens of the sister countries.

His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, thanked the Vice President of ECOWAS Commission, and entire ECOWAS for making the Project actionable.

Given her keynote address, Her Excellency Damtient Tchintchibidja, thanked the President of Sierra Leone H.E. Julius Maada Bio who is currently championing as Chairman of heads of State ECOWAS authorities, and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of the Republic of Liberia for their commitment to ECOWAS Commission, and emphasized the importance of high-quality and timely completion of the project.

She stated that, the development of the Jendema-Bo Wateside Joint Boarder post project aligns with the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which emphasizes the seamless movement of people of goods, and prioritize economic integration and trade expansion. It is also part of the ECOWAS’S regional transport facilitation Programme to enhance trade efficiency, reduce transit delays, and strategically designed to integrate two border communities of Sierra Leone and Liberia, improving cross-border collaboration and regional connectivity.

H.E. continued ECOWAS has undertaken several cross-border projects to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states across West Africa including Benin, Togo, Senegal, Burkina Faso and other regional countries.

These projects aimed to promote economic integration, trade, and cooperation among ECOWAS member states, ultimately improving the lives of citizens in border areas.

The Vice President H. E. Madam Damiten Tchintchibidja, assured the Government Sierra Leone and that the Jendema-Bo Wateside Joint Boarder Post is fully funded by the ECOWAS Commission, as part of ECOWAS Vision for Regional Integration.

Correspondent-John Farfira Kamara

Ministry of Planning and Economic Development

Email: Johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com