By: Aaron Bundu Lahai
The Honourable Vice President of Sierra Leone Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has sent a strong assurance to Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora that the TAF Micro City in John Obey, Western Rural District under construction by TAF Africa Global will give diasporas hope to become owners of affordable houses with security, void of headaches relating to land acquisition and missing building materials from contractors. He reiterated that the city will solve all the challenges associated with land and housing in Freetown, adding that the city will have all amenities including police station, hospital and drainages. He made the statement at the launched of the TAF Micro City project at John Obey on Tuesday 19th December, 2023.
Vice President Jalloh stated that the launched of the city project was a fulfilment of President Julius Maada Bio’s 2018 campaign manifesto promise to the people of Sierra Leone to provide them with affordable housing they can pay money for to ensure ownership. He noted that the construction of over five bungalows by TAF Construction Company before the official launched of the project today is a testament President Bio is fondly called “Tok and Do.”
“Land and housing are real challenges in Sierra Leone, they are problems particularly in Freetown surrounded by water” Vice President Jalloh intimated. He explained that land acquisition has been problematic with land grabbers who connived with collaborators who pretend to work for Government to sell land confidently. He also named stealing of building materials especially cement as another challenge, citing Diasporas as the most vulnerable Sierra Leoneans who struggle to acquire land in the country and suffer from building contractors.
The Honourable Vice President informed about bid opening process in January 2024 for the construction of electricity transmission line along the Waterloo/Tombo Highway to Tokeh that will connect the TAF micro city, adding that two sub stations will be established at York village and Tombo. He disclosed about the rehabilitation of the Tokeh to Tombo/Waterloo Highway to two carriage ways.
Dr Turad Senesie-Minister of Lands and Country Planning revealed about the disciplinary measures he has instituted in the ministry to restore sanity. He highlighted land acquisition, housing and country planning as the major challenges his ministry is struggling with. He vowed not to approve the authorization of permit to an individual ownership of huge acres of land, when there are other Sierra Leoneans in need of just one plot of land but they can get it.
Mustapha Njie-the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TAF Africa Global informed that his company operates in eight countries with Sierra Leone now making it the ninth country. He said that the Sierra Leone project is set to construct five thousand affordable houses including the over five bungalows already constructed.
