Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh and Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Col. (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq., inspected the site, praising the Gento Group’s Dry Port Project at Kent as a transformative investment that will boost Sierra Leone’s maritime and logistics sectors.
The high-level inspection team included the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha; Rev. Edward Kwame Yankson, the Senior Permanent Secretary; and the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority’s Harbour Master.
The visit is part of the government’s continuing engagement with strategic infrastructure projects aimed at boosting port capacity, facilitating trade and spurring national economic growth. During the inspection, Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh said the project is a reflection of President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s vision of moving from ‘commitment to transformation’. He said the investment has grown from an idea discussed at some engagements to a major infrastructure project that is now taking shape through strong collaboration between the Sierra Leonean government and the private sector.
The Chief Minister also commended the Ministry of Transport and Aviation headed by Ambassador Col. (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq for the policy and institutional support required to facilitate the investment. He also praised Gento Group for its huge investment in the Kent-Banana Island project which is a vote of confidence in the economy of Sierra Leone. The CEO of Gento Group, Mr Mohamed Gento Kamara said: “We have over 600 employees, most of whom are Sierra Leoneans and we are working with international technical partners to ensure that the facility meets global standards.” He assured the delegation that all environmental safeguards are being strictly enforced in coordination with the relevant Government agencies.
Chief Minister Sengeh pointed to the Kent Dry Port’s role in alleviating congestion at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay as cargo volumes increase. He said that enhancing the country’s port infrastructure is critical to improving logistics efficiency, reducing business costs, boosting economic growth, and supporting the government’s efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability. Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Col. (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq., reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investments that will modernise Sierra Leone’s transport sector.
“The Project is in line with the Government’s overall strategy to enhance the country’s maritime infrastructure, improve cargo handling capacity, provide long-term employment opportunities and establish Sierra Leone as a competitive regional maritime and logistics hub,” he added.
The Minister added that the government remains committed to supporting strategic infrastructure projects through strong public-private partnerships and advancing complementary investments such as the JMB Fishing Port in Black Johnson and other efforts aimed at unlocking the country’s maritime and economic potential.
