Office of the Chief Minister Dr. David Monina Sengeh

On 30th January 2025, the Government of Sierra Leone and Elcome signed an MOU to deploy high-speed Internet access to all universities across the country.

In total, 13 universities, including 24 campuses, will be covered. In the next phase, all government vocational centers will also be covered.

Since going live at FBC 1 week ago, over 450 students are now fully registered and connected. Elcome had committed to an initial free coverage until the end of March. However, a couple of students had advocated for this to be extended until the end of their exams. In my engagement with Elcome today, I asked for the free wifi period to continue.

I am happy to announce that they graciously accepted and that all registered users will be able to access the free internet until the end of April.

We have a pricing formula for telcos, OMCs and rice importers. Next is cement importers. Together for citizens

I had an incredibly fruitful meeting with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Heads of various UN agencies today on the impact of the global shrinking fiscal space. We discussed on cross cutting issues relating on the effective implementation of our country partnership framework 2024-2030. Together, we will prioritize for impact, and together, for our citizens.

Earlier today, I chaired a meeting with several institutions of government to develop a robust policy, legislation and vision on how we manufacture, import, transport, manage and use explosives for civil, commercial and other purposes.
We are one government and a safer environment for our citizens.

Meliorism. This is my favorite new word! This is our faith that together . It is precisely because we are melioristic.

The Chief's Diary: Leading Road Infrastructure Development: Transformation of SLRA

It's easier sometimes to focus solely on what isn't going well or leadership that needs to be changed. However, something I often notice is leadership that needs to be amplified and supported for more impactful delivery.

One such example is Ing Jalil Momodu, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).

Mr. Momodu has spent 23 yrs at the Authority.
He started as an assistant engineer and then became an engineer, senior engineer, rose to Chief Regional Engineer, Chief Engineer, Director, before becoming the Deputy Director General. In 2023, President Bio recognized his service and dedication to the public sector and appointed him as Director General.

Since then, I have worked closely with Mr Momodu as he champions the road infrastructure development across the country. We have seen major progress of roads across the country, from Falaba to Pujehun. Township roads in Kenema and Pujehun.

In the last 18 months alone, under his leadership, we have completed 2 major bridges (Magbele & Mabang bridges), 2 minor bridges (Largo & Mogorvie bridges) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, have nearly completed the construction of 4 major bridges (Manowa, Tomparie, Gendema & Mattru) over hand-pulled ferry crossings.

We have added approximately 90km of paved roads to our stock of the National Road Network.

Major Road reconstruction works are on-going in all corners of the country - from the Kailahun - Koindu Road in the east, Falaba - Limbaya - Guinea Border Road in the north, the Tikonko - Kpetema Road in the South to the Makolo Jct. - Kobolo-Gulama (formerly Mabang) Bridge in the northwest. There is a range of ongoing road reconstruction works in the West as well.

Amongst several pipeline projects being prepared, the key to them are the Kambia - Marina Jct. Tomparie - Kamakwei Road (105km) and the Bauya - Benducha Road (65km), which will put Bonthe

The Chief's Diary: Building Bridges, Connecting Communities and Dedicated Delivery

One of the core functions I enjoy as Chief Minister is doing what's urgent, necessary and required for people. Recently, H.E President Bio tasked me lead a government wide committee to prioritize infrastructure development and capital projects financed through the budget. We have a big country and we must make new roads connecting communities, build bridges, source new energy, complete water supply and more. But we have a small capital budget (~$100 million). That's why we must prioritize as we take bold actions.
On this, we will deliver for the President, the government and the people of Sierra Leone.



Ps- that Grammar School, we will tar it in two weeks.

The Chief's Diary: Social Media Monetization and Impact Creation

I had an amazing conversation with the CEO of Tiktok, Mr Shou Zi Chew, today.
Sierra Leone has 1.5 million active monthly users (~17% of the population) of tiktok (accounting for about 30% of internet traffic). Shou and I spoke about ways in which businesses can reach new customers, good teachers can reach more students, activists can mobilize to clean rivers and beaches or protect the environment, and most importantly, how we can support the creative sector. He accepted my invitation to visit Sierra Leone at an appropriate time (hopefully, once we solve user monetization). For me, when President Bio flagged this as an issue, I understood his vision and commitment to young people. That's why we have continued to expand internet access, make available cheaper smart phones, and put in the regulatory and fiscal frameworks for our transformational development.

YES, WE WILL
I believe that not I, not You, but together a more just society.
How? By asking critical questions and pointing out what WE SHOULD DO, not what YOU SHOULD DO, and taking concrete actions that seek to make tomorrow better than today in spite of the challenges and our current reality.

My li'l cousin Musu Sengeh (in blue, yellow boots next to the ref) plays for the national women's team U17 (and for Mogwemo Queens in the women's Premier League). This weekend, she was on the score sheet for Sierra Leone in our World Cup Qualifier vs Guinea which ended 2-2. Super proud of her and her team! On to the next one.

A new week. A new day. A new opportunity to do and be better for Salone; Green, White and Blue. It is only when we work together that we will deliver a MORE just society.

After church today, I tried to convince Pey that it's not homework, but rather "fun work". She didn't agree but still ended up writing for me a five sentence summary of a book she read.
As a busy bee parent, I'm not always available to help with homework but every time I can, I do (even though she told me her mom makes the work more fun). At this point, learning must be totally fun.