As a personality with reputable character, Rashid Abraham Conteh who is the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Importers’ Association (SLIA) has disclosed that Sierra Leone would for the first time have a “State-of-the-Art Garri Processing Machine” which would not only boost the Local Content Policy but also create employments for over 2,000 youth.
Vividly describing the said machine, Mr Conteh said that the machine would manufacture on a daily basis 100 to 150 bags of garri and 20 to 50 bags of foo-foo. He explained that the machine is a masterpiece processer and first of its kind in the country, which has the ability to lift the cassava from source and to the end process of removal of starch, frying and finally packaging in accordance with international best practices.
He stated that at the end of the day, 90% of what is produced would be exported and hence the investment in agro-business will be complimenting Government’s efforts.
Mr Conteh said that he has already made payment for the machine during his recent trip to China and hopefully it will arrive and be ready for use by mid July 2020, noting that the machine would be available when the Chinese Government may have drastically curtailed the dreadful coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has claimed the lives of thousands.
He disclosed that the investment on such massive garri production would be done in the southern province Bo to be specific and named the products as; “Sierra Bo Garri,” counting as the largest garri producing factory in Sierra Leone.
As an entrepreneur bent on transforming the economy, he earlier on mentioned that he has established a Corrugated Roof Factory situated at Hamilton in the Western Rural District as an addition to other developments he has undertaken aimed at job creations for over hundreds of youth.
In order to make the country conducive for business, Conteh advised the Government to have strong partnership and commitment towards private sector investments which is considered as the principal taxpayer and an integral driver to the nation’s economy.
