The Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kanyah Barlay, and the ECOWAS Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mr. John Azuma, on Monday 17th November 2025 officially handed over the site for the construction of an ECOWAS-supported market in Wai Village, Sorogbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District. The contract was awarded to Sierra Brothers Construction Services (SL) Limited.
Wai, strategically located between Sulima and the Liberian border, is expected to play a key role in strengthening cross-border trade and regional economic integration.
In her statement, Madam Barlay emphasized that agriculture remains central to the government’s Five Big Game Changers, highlighting food security, economic growth, and human capital development as national priorities. She encouraged parents to send their children to school and underscored that access to healthcare, youth employment, and infrastructure development remain critical pillars of the government agenda.
The Minister further noted that ECOWAS Vision 2050 aligns closely with Sierra Leone’s development priorities. She expressed optimism that the market project—launched during ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary year—would be completed within the four-month timeline.
According to Madam Barlay, President Julius Maada Bio’s priorities as ECOWAS Chairman include deepening democracy, ensuring credible elections, promoting economic integration, improving electricity and water supply, and strengthening ECOWAS institutions for the benefit of citizens. She reaffirmed government’s commitment to reaching every part of the country with development initiatives.
Delivering the keynote address, ECOWAS Ambassador Mr. John Azuma conveyed greetings from Dr. Omar Alie Turay, President of the ECOWAS Commission. He highlighted ECOWAS’ focus on economic cooperation, human development, and empowering border communities. The market project, he said, is a testament to effective partnership and is expected to create livelihood opportunities, especially for women and children.
He added that markets are “the backbone of any economy,” and expressed confidence that the new facility will enhance peace, security, and community development.
The Ambassador noted that a multi-stakeholder committee—including representatives from the Ministries of Education; Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs; Local Government; and Internal Affairs—was instrumental in shaping the project.
Chairing the event, Speaker of Sorogbema Chiefdom Mr. Augustine Zoka said the chiefdom was honoured to host the market, noting that the opportunity had been highly contested. He pledged the community’s ownership and support for the project.
Project contractor Mr. Ibrahim Kowa stated that Sierra Brothers Construction won the contract through competitive bidding. He assured the gathering that the facility would be completed within four months and revealed that 60–70% of the workforce were locals, in line with Sierra Leone’s Local Content Policy. The market will include office space, a cold room, storage facilities, concrete walkways, and water tanks. He appealed for continued community cooperation.
Paramount Chief Mustapha Massaquoi explained that Sorogbema Chiefdom had actively lobbied among the district’s 14 chiefdoms to secure the project. He noted that the chiefdom had reported no Ebola or COVID-19 cases and maintained good security despite having 19 informal crossing points. He also raised concern over a proposed FIFA project—including a stadium, football academy, and health centre—that has yet to commence, despite the chiefdom donating 100 acres of land.
Head of the ECOWAS National Office in Sierra Leone, Mr. Komba Momoh, disclosed that
