A.: In an effort to improve transport infrastructure the Government has prepared a National Transport Policy and Investment plan, between the period of 2003 and 2007. This plan seeks to enhance the operational significance of the roads, road transport, coastal and river transport and air transport as well. We have put special emphasis on the rehabilitation and construction of feeder roads which link major agricultural and mining areas. The World Bank, the EU, the Islamic Development Bank have been and continue to be the principal funders of these. We expect by the year 2004 that all the remote areas will be connected to key market centres and to social facilities.

Q.: What is the importance and the strategic aim behind these developments and what about reintroducing the railway lines across the country?

A.: In addition to the rehabilitation of these existing transport routes, we as a Government have also started the construction of new jetties and landing sites along the coastal stretch of Sierra Leone. These sites have proved to be extremely important as evacuation points during the protracted civil war; they also coincide with rich agricultural and fishing points which need to be developed in accordance with the Governments poverty alleviation policy. Other moves we have developed include the linking Lungi to Freetown from the airport to the city centre, rehabilitation of the air strips in Kono, Kenema, Bo etc and we are also considering the possibility of reintroducing the railways. Here we are trying to connect the capital with remote areas. Our Government is making efforts to ensure that by the year 2007 nobody should go to bed hungry. The question is, how are we going to achieve this? We have to encourage the farmers to produce more. By linking the various areas of the country, we are ensuring that they will have the opportunity of taking their products to the bigger towns and markets. That will encourage them to have bigger farms, to produce more and they will be able to maintain themselves and to make some money too.

Q. There is a plan of the Government to privatize 24 state-owned companies, several of which fall under the sovereignty of this Ministry, how will you encourage investors to invest into these companies?

A.: The Government has created a National Commission for Privatization. We have also created the Sierra Leone Export Development and Investment Corporation (SLEDIC); we are also currently working on the new Investment Code. This is clear manifestation of the desire to let the private sector be the driving force behind the countries economic recovery. Sierratel, Sierra Leone Ports Authority, Sierra National Airlines, Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation, Sierra Leone National Shipping Company, Sierra Leone Airport Authority have all been slated for privatization. The Ministry will therefore welcome and encourage foreign investors to venture to these areas, which require huge infusions of capital and know how. AS far as telecommunications is concerned we are also putting in place an Independent Regulatory Body, so as to prepare a fair field for all investors willing to come in and to liberalize the telecom market. We are really encouraging foreign investors to come in and to acquire shares in the company, because there is still a lot of work to be done.

Q.: So the plan is to sell shares of the company but not to privatize it entirely?

A.: The ultimate aim is to privatize completely, if that fails, options like PPP, etc. would be seriously considered. However the NPC is perhaps the most competent source to advise Government on the course of action. We consider it as one of the means of consolidating peace. What was one of the causes of the war is that most areas of the country were remote and felt left out, the state of telecommunication was very poor. If you live in Kailahun and wanted to talk to your relatives or friends in other parts of the country or abroad you had to come to Freetown. It was a major economic burden on our people. Let's say something has happened in Kailahun, we in Freetown will only find out what has happened there after two days or more. By developing these remote areas, we are reintegrating them into the country; we make them feel that they are really part of Sierra Leone.

Q.: Foreign investors are also required to bring new technology into the company?

A.: I am confident that once an investor comes he will bring with him new technologies, new know how, faster telecommunication, etc.

Q.: There are several mobile operators in the country, how are you encouraging them to invest more and to develop their services in the entire territory of the country?

A.: The Government has opened the market to competition, we currently have 3 mobile operators, despite the common frustration over interconnection difficulties, confusion over technical standards and user equipment, incompatibilities, the mobile service sector has grown rapidly over the past 2 years, primarily because of the dismal performance of the fixed line operator, Sierratel. We really encourage the investors to step in here. Since we have liberalized the market, we are getting a lot of application from people and I am sure that by the time we have put in place this regulatory body, this market will be much more lucrative and will get a lot of attention. The interest already has come from both regional and international players. Take Celtel, for example, it's both regional and international. We are giving extra importance to the development of the coverage as we don't want companies to come in here, establish a business and focus only on Freetown. We must ensure that the regions are reasonably well covered too. I usually tell investors that Sierra Leone is still a virgin market as far as the telecommunication market is concerned. I am quite sure that the telecom sector will have a large expansion over the next couple of years. Right now, the needs of the market are not satisfied still. Some of the major towns are still not covered; Celtel has just decided to expand to that direction. Kono, for example, where the diamond business is situated still needs to be included into the coverage. I am sure that with peace, there will be much more development taking place with the range of services and the coverage being constantly extended.

Q. Could you tell us about your professional experience and what input you can have into the work of the Ministry?

A.: I was a university lecturer, at Fourah Bay College in the department of chemistry and I rose up to the rank of senior lecturer. Later I came into politics, I am a patron supporter of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party. With my scientific background completed with my knowledge about what has been happening in the country I am determined to do my best to ensure that the policy and the plans of the Government/my Ministry are being implemented the best possible way.