By Ragan M. Conteh

The Chief Executive Officer of Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara has called on government to honour the five percent (5%) loan agreement about twenty million United States dollars (US$20M) it promised for the construction of port at the Banana Island.

Gento made the call during a meeting with the Committee on Transport and Aviation held at Committee Room 1 in Parliament on Monday March 10th, 2025.

Mr. Kamara reminded committee members of the agreement Members of Parliament signed in which it was agreed that Gento Group of Companies should provide ten percent commitment to government and in return the government committed to provide twenty million dollars which is about 5% for the company to kick-start the project.

Mohamed Gento informed the committee that feasibility studies have already been done by his company and they are about to implement the project but unto this moment “we are yet to receive a dime that was promised by government.

He added that after the feasibility studies they have decided to also propose railway that will link mining companies’ sites to aid the free flow of goods to the port.

The CEO also informed that the project is going to cost $2.7 billion United States dollars and they will be the one to bear the burden of the cost and not the government.

“That is why we are going to bring financier to fund the project. But all we are asking for is the twenty million United States dollar loan from government it promised,” he stressed.

He boasted that the rail and port are going to be up to international standards when completed to serve as an international transactional hub which will improve the exportation of goods and create more jobs for many Sierra Leoneans as well as boost the Gross Domestic Products of the country.