The Public Affairs General Manager of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Osman F. Koroma disclosed last Friday 13th June, 2024, that the institution is set to commission the newly built Sewa Ground Market in Central Freetown, which comprises 1, 544 open market stalls.
In an exclusive interview with Osman F. Koroma, he disclosed that the newly constructed market also has 170 upscale shops, 277 medium-scale shops, 76 storage units, and 40 toilet facilities.

The Public Affairs General Manager further noted that the new market is well equipped with modern amenities, including two water tanks with a capacity of 100,000 litres each, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance cameras, and a power plant generator to ensure stable electricity supply during business hours.
Mr. Koroma furthered that boreholes have been installed to continuously supply water to the two tanks.

He, however, conceded that though the market will not completely solve all the challenges faced by traders in terms of space, it will significantly lessen some of their burdens.
Mr. Koroma emphasized that NASSIT's investment in the Sewa Ground Market aligns with the institution's core mandate to collect contributions from members and pay benefits to pensioners nationwide.

"Paying pension benefits requires sustainable investments," Mr. Koroma emphasized, noting that it is against this backdrop that NASSIT has undertaken several projects, including the Sewa Ground Market and the Sea View Estate at Goderich.

He continued that NASSIT is also investing in shopping plazas across various regions in the country as part of ots broader investment strategy.

Mr. Koroma, however, clarified that the new market is not a charity project but designed to generate revenue to meet pension obligations.

He disclosed that the Sierra Leone Estate Managent Company (SEMCO), an independent body within NASSIT, will be responsible for managing the Sewa Ground Market and other similar facilities, including the regional shopping plazas.