By Nancy Kamara
( – The Government of Sierra Leone has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with contractors and consultants to complete three major hospital projects and an oxygen production facility in the Western Area, officials said.
The agreement, signed on Thursday, involves the Ministries of Finance and Health, consultancy firm IDEAS Limited, and four construction companies to resume and complete works on Lumley Government Hospital, Macauley Street Government Hospital, and Waterloo Government Hospital, as well as an oxygen production plant in Kerry Town.
The projects had stalled for years after funding from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development was discontinued, halting construction activities.
Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie said the government considers the projects critical to addressing the country’s healthcare challenges and has sought alternative and innovative financing to ensure their completion.
He added that the arrangement was negotiated with contractors and consultants to determine the total funding required for the remaining and additional approved works across the four sites.
Minister of Health Austine Demby said growing demand for healthcare services in the Western Area made the completion of the facilities essential, noting that preparations were underway to deploy staff and equipment once construction is finished.
Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said the projects are between 80% and 90% complete and urged contractors to deliver within agreed timelines.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to timely disbursement of funds in line with the MOU.
The total allocation for completing the facilities is $4.23 million, according to officials.
The contractors involved—Cubic Construction Company Limited, Fajaha International Construction, Hariss Construction, and Nimo Construction and Trading Enterprises—are expected to carry out the remaining works within the agreed timeframe.
