By Fatmata Bangura
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Tuesday toured key tourism sites near the capital, commending ongoing investments aimed at boosting the country’s ecotourism sector.
Jalloh led a delegation of senior government officials, including the tourism and environment ministers, on an inspection visit to Tacugama Resort and the Leicester Peak viewing deck as part of efforts to assess progress on strategic tourism infrastructure projects.
Speaking during the tour, the vice president described developments at Tacugama as “massive” and internationally competitive, noting that the facility could help position Sierra Leone as an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign visitors.
The resort includes a multipurpose hall, cinema, restaurant, library, conference facilities and classrooms for conservation education, forming part of a broader initiative to expand ecotourism offerings in the country.
Jalloh also stressed the importance of protecting such investments, warning against environmental degradation and land encroachment around tourism sites. He called for coordinated action by security agencies and regulators to safeguard natural assets.
Project engineer Saidu Conteh said the Tacugama Innovation Centre is one of three flagship projects designed to diversify the economy away from extractive industries and strengthen tourism performance.
He said the centre, currently under construction, will feature a cinema, library, conference and training rooms, a gift shop and a rooftop restaurant, alongside attractions such as a botanical garden, amphitheatre, hiking trails and a bird-watching tower.
Conteh added that the project faces challenges including land encroachment and risks missing its April 30, 2026 completion deadline if outstanding issues are not addressed.
Jalloh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Sierra Leone’s tourism sector, expressing confidence that projects such as Tacugama would attract international visitors and encourage Sierra Leoneans to explore the country’s natural attractions.
