Two of Sierra Leone’s leading oil marketing companies, Leonoil Company Limited and NP (SL) Limited, on Thursday, 2nd April 2026, officially handed over a newly constructed state-of-the-art burns facility to the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) for the benefit of its citizens.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Leonoil Company Limited, Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Babatunde Cole, stated that they initiated the burns unit project in response to the tragic Wellington fuel tanker explosion in 2021. “We saw the pain, the struggle, and the reality that our country must be better prepared for the future,” he said. The CEO emphasized that the facility represents more than just infrastructure. “This is not just a building, it is a place where lives will be saved, where families will find hope again, and where our country will be better prepared for future emergencies.”

On behalf of the oil marketing companies, Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Cole expressed gratitude to Resurge Africa for its support in the design and equipping of the facility, and to Centurion Engineering for executing the construction. “Over the years, we have supported many projects quietly, but this one meant too much to remain silent about,” he said, adding, “We strongly believe that Sierra Leoneans must stand up for Sierra Leone, and that the private sector has a responsibility to support government in meeting the needs of the people.”

The CEO assured that their commitment will continue. “This is only the beginning. We will continue to play our part.”
Commissioning the newly constructed state-of-the-art CT Scan, ultrasound equipment, and a modern burns unit at the Connaught Teaching Hospital in Freetown, the largest government peripheral in Sierra Leone, His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, who commissioned all the newly built facilities in the hospital, commended healthcare workers, partners, and stakeholders, urging professionalism and proper maintenance of the facilities.

The President emphasised that a nation’s strength depends on the health of its people, reiterating his government’s focus on human capital development.
He also called on citizens and health professionals to safeguard the new infrastructure to ensure it remains fully functional and beneficial to the public.

The ceremony was presided by the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Hinga Demby, who commended local partners for their patriotism and dedication to national development.

Since the Wellington fuel tanker disaster, the Managing Director of Leonoil, Ibrahim Cole Jr., alongside the Managing Director of NP (SL), had been very proactive in ensuring the successful completion of the facility.

The project was initially spearheaded by the Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who closely monitored its progress from inception, before it was officially commissioned by President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday, 2nd April 2026