By Bampia James Bundu Strategic Communication Unit MIC
30 September, 2020 (232News)
FREETOWN – The Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swaray has over the weekend revealed to Journalist in Kenema that 14 District across the country will have to benefit from the National Fiber Backbone Phase two project being implemented by Huawei Technologies.
The $30 Million dollar loan project from the Chinese Government, contracted to Huawei Technologies seeks to complete the fibre backbone connection in all the initial 14 District, seek to provide sustainable digital technology across the country.
In his address the Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swaray commend Huawei Technologies for their commitment towards the civil construction of the fibre backbone in the South and Southeast.
He describe Huawei as a strategic partner in supporting the government national agenda for the digitalization of Sierra Leone and one of the biggest in ICT infrastructure and smart devices in the world.
He stated that upon coming into leadership His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio noted that Sierra Leone like the rest of West Africa has missed out on three industrial revolution and he did not want the country to miss out on this fourth industrialization revolution.
The president has prioritised digitalization as an important catalyst to ensure Sierra Leone competitiveness both locally and abroad.
The minister added that if you look at the government national development plan cluster 3.5 note that the ministry of information and Communication must ensure that they improve and enhance the country connectivity both locally and Internationally.
He disclosed that the ministry has done alot in undertaking several reforms in the ministry and will continue to do more to transform the country digitally.
He noted that upon the completion of the fibre backbone the whole country will be connected and it will help enhance fibre penetration to homes and communities.
He calls on Huawei to continue their engagement with community stakeholders, and ensure that they provide jobs for youths in areas where they are operating.
The Project Manager, HUAWEI Technologies, Nana Yaw Amoako, commended the Ministry and SALCAB for visiting their project sites, saying they have started the civil work of the project which he described as the most important and difficult part of the project.
He said that once the civil work is finished they will start installation of other equipment and blow the fibre cables inside the HDPE pipes that will run the fibre from one point to the other with steady and sustainable internet.
He assured the Ministry and SALCAB of their commitment to completing the project at the stipulated time.
14 of the 16 districts in the country will be connected with fibre once the second phase of the project is completed.
This means the country will boast of 4G network that will benefit every Sierra Leonean in one way or the other.
Manager Amoako mentioned that they would mobilize and involve workers from the communities along the route to get the communities to get involved in the project and ensure that the project follows the international quality standards
The Board Chairman of SALCAB, Sorie Fofana, commended Huawei Technologies for working hard to actualize the wish of the President in making Sierra Leone a digitally connected country.
He said that the inspection was to help the Ministry and SALCAB get first-hand information on the progress of the project and ensure that quality work is done.
