By Lemuella Tarawallie
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed ‘Gento’ Kamara, on Monday (10th March 2025) highlighted the strategic importance of Banana Island, emphasizing its deepwater port potential, which exceeds 22 meters in depth—eliminating the need for costly dredging.
The would-be port’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean would position it as a key transshipment hub between major West African ports. The Government of Sierra Leone will have a stake of 10% in the project while Gento Group of Companies will own 90% of it.
Mr ‘Gento’ Kamara told the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport and Aviation that his company wanted to see what the Government of Sierra Leone had to do as per the Agreement with his company in which the former would gave them a US$20 million concessional loan.
A key discussion point of concern from the MPs was whether the project would be an Addendum to an existing Agreement or requires a new Concession Agreement for parliamentary ratification.
Also, Committee members questioned the financial aspects; citing an initial estimated cost of US$1.5 billion, which has now risen to US$2.7 billion due to modernized equipment requirements and inflation.
But CEO ‘Gento’ Kamara clarified that the cost was entirely private sector-driven, with no financial burden on the Government of Sierra Leone.
The Port Engineer/Manager of Gento Group of Companies, Dr Obai Kargbo, noted that “Banana Island provides a sheltered harbour, reducing the need for artificial breakwaters”. He compared the project to successful regional ports such as Togo’s Lomé Port, which had significantly boosted that country’s economy.
Dr Obai Kargbo referenced historical railway routes but acknowledged the need for updated feasibility studies due to modern infrastructure developments.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Dixon Rogers, together with other Committee members welcomed the initiative and expressed support for it, acknowledging its potentials to transform Sierra Leone’s economy through job creation and increased revenue.
The Committee requested a formal report and feasibility study for further deliberations before moving forward with the Agreement.
Yesterday’s familiarization engagement took place in Committee Room No.1 at Parliament Building, Tower Hill, in Freetown.