June 14, 2018
By Alusine Sesay
Pavi Fort CEO Alimu Barrie (second from left) smiles at their success
Deputy General Manager of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Dr. Sahr Ernest Gbembo, has lavished praises on Pavi Fort construction company for what he referred to as efficient construction work undertaken by the company in the township of Kabala, Koinadugu district in northern Sierra Leone.
Dr. Gbembo was in Kabala to ascertain as to whether the company has the technical and financial capability to undertake road construction, noting that he was impressed that Pavi Fort completed the construction work within record time of two years.
In line with local content policy, Pavi Fort is hundred percent Sierra Leonean owned and that the company has contributed immensely to national development.
After the twin mudslide and flood disasters which displaced thousands of people last August, Pavi Fort was one of the local companies that voluntarily contributed to the construction of 50 houses at Mile Six, in the outskirt of Freetown.
Speaking to journalists, the Deputy Director General of SLRA acclaimed the company, noting that it was capable of undertaking any road construction in the country as it has the relevant machinery, manpower and required financial resources.
During a conducted tour of their construction site, Resident Minister North, Abu Abu Koroma, assured that government would provide the necessary political will to enable the company deliver on the New Direction and improve on road infrastructure in the country.
He noted that he was impressed with the construction work of the company, adding that the local company has the required machinery and manpower to compete with any international construction company.
Paramount Chief of Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, Gbawuru Mansaray III, commended the construction work of Pavi Fort and stated that they could now enjoy using one of the best township road networks in the country, with 20km of tarmac.
PC Gbawuru called on government to award more road contracts to the local company, stating that they have the capability in terms of manpower and machinery.
Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort-Sierra Leone, Alimu Barrie, told journalists that his company can compete with any international company in the country because ‘I have what he takes to undertake road construction work in any part of the world.’
Pavi Fort is currently constructing the Makakura–Masingbi Road, Kabala-Korubula Road and the Ngaya Junction, from Kono to Falaba.
“I have proved many doubting Sierra Leoneans wrong that a local company cannot do it better. As a young Sierra Leonean, my work is going to be recorded in the history book of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority. My machinery base can be compared with any international company,” he said, adding that the company could undertake other construction project without any hindrance.
He told journalists that the company has spent over US$40 million to purchase brand new construction equipment, including pavers, rollers and bulldozers, thus calling on government to provide the necessary political will so that local commercial banks could provide them with the needed loan to carry out construction work.
Chairman Road for Development-Sierra Leone, Charles Francis Mambu, also praised the work of Pavi Fort.