The Republic of Sierra Leone

PRESIDENT KOROMA RECEIVES 'BEST WELCOME' IN THE GAMBIA

President Ernest Bai Koroma and entourage arrived in The Gambian capital of Banjul this afternoon to "the best welcome" ever. On a three-day visit to the country following an invitation from host President Yahyah Jammeh, President Koroma was met by thousands of people, including Gambian government ministers, diplomats and Sierra Leoneans resident in the Gambia.

President Jammeh himself was at the airport, and they took a guard of honour before meeting different groups of jubilating well-wishers and cultural dancers.
Proceeding from the airport to the Ocean Bay Hotel, a distance of over 15 miles, it seemed the whole of Banjul came to a standstill, as the roads were lined up by cheering crowds, including scores of school-children waving placards and the flags of the two countries.

Addressing the executive and members of the APC Gambia branch at the conference hall of Ocean Bay Hotel, President Korma said he was impressed at the welcome, "one of the best ever", showing that President Jammeh is still a very popular leader in his country.

The President told his audience about his message of attitudinal change, and how his government is committed to transforming Sierra Leone. "As a government, we have a clear direction, a clear goal, of where we are going," he said. He reiterated that the Bumbuna Hydro project would be over by the end of the year, and he is now undertaking other steps towards rural electrification. He said electricity will unlock all the other potentials in the country:

"Through energy, there will be better education, better health delivery, and there will be more employment." The President lamented that as at now everything in Sierra Leone is deplorable, as the numbers of people having less access to basic facilities and jobs are increasing.

However the President said in the next two to three months he would thoroughly have addressed the energy problem and would prioritise agriculture so that Sierra Leone would stop depending on other countries for rice. He said alongside agricuture would be emphasis on education, health and a general turn-around of the economy. The President appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to change their attitudes, as his government would not lose the opportunity to turn the fortunes of Sierra Leone. "This is the beginning of a new Sierra Leone, " he said to a standing ovation.

The President and entourage are scheduled to visit President Jammeh's home village of Kanilai tomorrow.
Among the delegation are the Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation Zainab Bangura, Minister of Tourism & Culture Hindolo Trye, Minister of Transport & Aviation Kemoh Sesay, Minister of Employment & Social Security Minkhailu Mansaray, and Minister of Trade & Industry Alimamy Koroma. Also included in the entourage are former Principal of Njala University Prof. Harry Turay and the National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone Rev. J.Y. Konteh.

Sheka Tarawalie
PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SECRETARY
Ocean Bay Hotel, Banjul, The Gambia
10 April 2008

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