lorry parks and markets to stimulate economic activity and job creation
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the award of contracts for the construction of five lorry parks and seven markets throughout Sierra Leone. The total value of the contracts is over 2.2 billion Leones (US$800,000) and is funded by donations from Sweden and Norway. UNDP’s support for these facilities is part of its ongoing efforts to support the Local Councils through the rebuilding and stimulation of trade, economic activity, enterprise development and job creation. Construction of the approved projects is to start immediately and is due to be completed for handing over to Local Councils on 1 October 2007.
Lorry Parks, including passenger sheds, offices and toilets are to be constructed in Barmoi (Kambia District), Port Loko Town and Targrin-Lungi (Port Loko District), Mattru Jong Town (Bonthe District) and in Moyamba (Moyamba District). Trade fair markets including stalls, water supply and toilets will be built in Penduma, Ngaiya Town and Gbangadu (Kono District), Bumbuna (Tonkolili District), Gbondapi Kpanga and Bandajuma (Pujehun District), and in Koribondo (Bo District).
The communities are selected based on their individual needs, as well as the strategic location of the specific towns, as this will have multiplier effects for surrounding communities. It is expected that on completion, the Barmoi Lorry Park will improve the capacity of the Magbema International Market, which is the biggest trade centre in the Northern Region. Similarly, projects in Moyamba and Pujehun will have important multiplier effects for several communities in the Southern Region, and the three projects in Kono will similarly benefit many more communities in the Eastern Region.
