Russians To Rebuild Sierra Leone Railway

On Thursday 18th May 2006, a high level Russian delegation led by the Vice President of the Russian railway system paid a courtesy call on H.E the President, Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, to explain to him what they have been doing in the country since their arrival.

The Vice President of the Russian Railway system accompanied by other high-ranking officials including the Russian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Russia and Mr. Usman Boie-Kamara explained to President Kabbah the aerial ut inspection they have carried out throughout the country. They also informed President Kabbah of the aerial survey of the old railway tracks in Sierra Leone.

The Vice President of the Russian railway informed President Kabbah that they will have to carry out feasibility studies. They also said that any railway will include freight and passenger carriages as well as warehouses and maintenance facilities to have a sustainable railway system.

He also informed the President that there was the need to see the whole railway system as a profitable enterprise. He said that there will be need for a government position paper on the matter so that any potential investor can look at the document.

President Kabbah on his part thanked the delegation for coming to Sierra Leone, adding that he liked the approach they have undertaken so far by treating the project as a business venture. The President also wanted to know from the delegation within what timeframe their preliminary report will be made available and intimated that he would like to see that the railway is linked to seaports and mining sites in order to facilitate the movement and conveyance of equipment and other materials related to mining..

The Vice President of the Russian Railway system said that their report will be ready within a month and disclosed that railway construction requires capital and very serious and detailed engineering work.

-End-