Parliament Ratifies Lungi Complex, Presidential Villa and Other Agreements.

Sierra Leone's Parliament convened on February 23, 2026, to debate and unanimously ratify a series of agreements aimed at accelerating national development. The ratified instruments span infrastructure, water security, agriculture, and regional integration, marking a significant legislative session for the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic.

The following agreements were ratified by Parliament;

1. Public Private Partnership Agreement for the Design and Construction of the Lungi Hotel Congress Center and Presidential Villains and Operational Management of the Lungi Hotel by and Between the Government of Sierra Leone and FB Group ULUSLARARASI YATIRM VE DIS Ticaret Anonim Sirketi dated 16th February 2026

2. Financing Agreement (Additional) Financing for Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in West African Project Between Republic of Sierra Leone and International Development Association.

3. Loan Agreement for Financing the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Contribution in the Capital increase of the African Solidarity Fund Between Republic of Sierra Leone and the ARAB Bank for Economic Development in African.

4. Financing Agreement (Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access) Improvement Project as Phase 1 of A Multi _Phase Programmatic Approach Program Between Republic of Sierra Leone and International Development Association.

5. Grant Agreement Amongst Republic of Sierra Leone and African Development Bank and African Development Fund as Executing Agreement of the Global Environment Facility Multinational Scaling up Investment and Technology Transfer to Facilitate Capacity Strengthening and Technical Assistance for the Improvemention of Stockholm and Minamata Conventions in African LDC (AFLDC_2)

6. Facility Agreement dated 27th November 2025 Between Republic of Sierra Leone as Borrower with ARAB Bank for Economic development in African (BADEA) As Lender Financing the Import of Rice and Food Products of ARAB, African or International Origin to the Benefit of Republic of Sierra Leone.

7. Least Development Countries Fund Grant Agreement (Third Additional Financing for the West African Food System) Resilience program (FSRP) Phase 2 project Between Republic of Sierra Leone and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Acting as an Implementing Agency of the Least Development Countries Fund).

8. Programme Agreement Amongst Secretariat of the Mano River Union and Republic of Liberia and Republic of Sierra Leone and African Development Bank and African Development Fund Regional Components of Mano River Union Road Development and Transport Facilitation Programme _Phase lv.

9. Loan Agreement Construction of BAUYA_BENDUCHA Road Project Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the ARAB Bank for Economic development in African dated 15th January 2026.

10. Livestock and Livelihoods Development Program (LLDP) Loan Agreement Between the Opec Fund for International Development and the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Presenting a series of agreements before Parliament, the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura described the agreements as a substantial step in expanding Sierra Leone’s economic enhancement. He said, the agreement will enhance the construction of Hotel and a Presidential Villa in Sierra Leone’’ The agreement is a 124-million-dollar investment and that the purpose is to build an autra-modern facility that will host global conference in the country.

He affirmed that, the financing of the project is a loan through a Bank. He added that, the project will constitute the construction of a Presidential Villa, Complex and a Hotel facility. He asked for parliamentary consideration on the above mention agreements. He also speaks on another agreement, dealing with water, which, according to him, is a 40-million-dollar agreement aimed to improve water facilities in the country.

The Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Finance,Hon. Keikura C. Vandy, representing Bo District said, government needs resources in order to function effectively. He added that, after parliamentary approvals of agreements, these agreements must be judiciously used by the respective implementing agencies.

Hon. Vandy stated that, with the approval of the agreements, it will improve and enhance the water facility in the country. ‘’ We want to encourage people to be involved in livestock in order to improve in the nation’s economy’ ’without being MP, I’m not a poor man, as I have a farm that produced about 15 cantons of egg in a day’’ he added. Hon. Keikura added by lavishing praise on the Minister of Finance for his tireless commitment in boosting the economy.

Whip of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, representing Kambia District, said, government needs more efforts to provide adequate water facility for the people of Sierra Leone. He encouraged the country to improve on livestock and not to solely depend on imported goods. Hon. Kamara said, the Lungi construction projects will have limited impact in the lives of ordinary people in the country.’’ As a nation, we should not rely on building presidential villa but providing basic needs for the people of Sierra Leone is more paramount’’ he said.

Rounding the debate on the side of the opposition, Deputy Leader 2, Hon Aaron Koroma, begins his debate by expressing concerns on the delay in making documents available to MPs before approval. He said, the operational period is not stated in the agreement, and that more clarification is required from the Minister.

Hon. Aaron continues by saying, 10% is minimal when it comes to revenue sharing, and that it should be increase to an encouraging amount. He admonished Statistic Sierra Leone to apolitical and professional in its operations. He commended the Minister for countless commitment made in improving the finance sector. ‘’ I want to encourage the Ministry of Finance to highly consider and negotiate on concessional loans’’ he ended.

Concluding the debate on the side of the Government, the Majority and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma, commended the Minister of Finance for bringing a progressive agreement for the progress and development of Sierra Leone. He said, the Lungi complex project will constitute a hotel, conference center and other facilities.

He said, the Lungi projects are to improve on the Lungi community considering its strategic location and a gateway to Sierra Leone. Speaking on one of the agreements relating to Bonth, Hon Nyuma stated that, the project is more than 50 million Dollars and that it will enhance and boost major infrastructural and economic development in Bonth District. ’’We want to run constructive and service delivery government to the people of Sierra Leone, so 2028 by, it will be a landslide victory for the SLPP’’ he ended.

Responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament, the Minister of Finance said, government will continue making more efforts to address, the wide range of concerns raised by Members of Parliament and that a concessional agreement will be brought to Parliament for its considerations.

Correspondent: Hassan Bangura

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