Because of the huge constraints generally encountered in the movement of people, goods and services in the nook and cranny of Sierra Leone, Obiyaa Group of Companies based in Greater Accra, Ghana has shown keen interest in investing in sea taxi transportation, as well as land transportation in the country.

The Chief/President of Obiyaa Group of Companies, Mr. George Oti Bonsu is part of the delegation that visited Sierra Leone.

The company has the capacity to explore the transport sector in a bid to decongest traffic and ameliorate transportation in a cost-effective initiative in Sierra Leone.
Obiyaa Group of Companies will be introducing a V.I.P. transportation initiative wherein goods and services will be delivered to the appropriate persons from one destination to another without the sender being present.

Speaking at the Office of the Minister of Transport and Aviation at Youyi Building, Brookfield in Freetown yesterday, Farouk Al-wahab, who is the international diplomatic and investment consultant of the company, disclosed that their visit was a return call to the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon, who on his recent courtesy visit to the erstwhile President of Ghana, John Kuffour, discussed the issue of improving transportation in Sierra Leone.

Farouk Al-wahab said Ghana has gone a little ahead to ease the original traffic congestion in Greater Accra through improved transportation network.

According to him, the strategic transport network improvement in Ghana was led by the private sector investment which they intend to replicate in Sierra Leone.

The international diplomatic and investment consultant furthered that Sierra Leone does not have much big strategic transportation network that actually moves people, goods and services from one destination to another as seen or observed in other countries.

He said the sea transportation will not only voyage from the Jui Community to the central and west end of Freetown - Lumley and Aberdeen - but also to provincial and district headquarters situated along the coastal areas or rivers within the shortest possible time.

Farouk Al-wahab further registered his commitment to complement the visit of the Minister in ensuring the aspirations of the transport sector of Sierra Leone, adding that the realization of the business proposal will create huge job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans as the sea coaches will be locals with improved training knowledge.

According to him, when their company commences full operations, the political class and the general masses would prefer using the sea transportation at the weekends to the provinces with cost effectiveness.

Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon disclosed that there will be no financial commitment on the side of the government but to give concession and ensure the availability of the environment.

He said the company has keen interest in the sea transportation and that will ease traffic congestion in the capital city and enhance strategic transportation network nationwide.

The Minister also registered government’s commitments to ensuring the company’s interest to invest in the country is actualized.

The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) Acting Executive Director, Ansumana S. Gamanga said the aspiration of the company in sea transportation was a welcome news to his institution in particular and the government in general.

Mohamed AL Bangura, GALPA International, the local consultant based in Sierra Leone thanked the government for wholeheartedly welcoming their initiative to invest in the transport sector.

He said the proposed intervention of Obiyaa Group of Companies in the transport sector will enhance better transportation and create job opportunities for young Sierra Leoneans.
Obiyaa Group of Companies is a locally based company in Ghana engaged in large-scale construction, marine building and transportation.

Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and the delegation of the Ghanaian company will today embark on a tour of the coastal areas within the Western Area to determine where the company will construct its jetties.