Freetown, Sierra Leone -- (Premier News) -- 02/05/10 -- The National Coordinator of the ‘Education For All’ project, Nelson-Williams, the issues of the environment is of great significance and can seriously affect socio-economic development. He cited the example of the earthquake in Haiti as the kind of risks Sierra Leone will face if the rampant cutting down of trees in the hill sides of Freetown and other parts of the country is not stopped.
In his opening statement, the Chairman of the ceremony, Horatio M. Nelson-Williams, said contractors should learn from mistakes made during the Sababu Education project in implementing the Education For All-Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI), and make sure that environmental issues are taken seriously when implementing projects.
He maintained that timeliness should be paramount in implementing the project as this is what the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport expects from contractors.
He stressed that delay in implementation would not be taken lightly with any contractor who fails to deliver on time.
He concluded by calling on contractors to cooperate in implementing the project and assured them that they will be refunded appropriately.
While giving his statement, the Education Sector Planning Coordinator, Reginald King, said the Education For All Fast Track Initiative is a project to build primary and junior secondary schools in all 19 councils in the country.
He disclosed that the project is sourced by the World Bank to fulfil Education For All project, Poverty Reduction Project and Millennium Development Goal.
Mr. King is said the workshop is educating contractors who won bids for projects to take the environment serious while doing their work.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, S.A. Tamu said one of the commitments of the Education For All-Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI) is to build primary schools and junior secondary schools in the 19 local councils and make sure they are completed by June this year.
Mr. Tamu went on to say that the schools should only be built on time but contractors must endeavour that all components supposed to be in schools like playing ground, good toilet facilities, enough water facilities amongst other things must be in the finished work.
Safety of school children and school staff should also be taken seriously, he admonished.
He maintained that World Bank lays emphasis on protecting the environment and enforces that in implementing the Education For All-Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI) project.
He assured that the Ministry Education, Youth and Sports will work with contractors, local councils and other partners in implementing their projects.
While giving a presentation on adverse implications, mitigating measures and guidelines for contractors, Reginald King advised contractors not to turn work sites discharge areas to dump sites but collect and evacuate refuse to authorised dumps and involve community members and local councils in selecting refuse sites for disposing refuse.
He maintained that contractors should avoid leaving dangerous and risky equipments on construction sites to avoid accidents and should respect hygiene and security measures while doing construction work.
Mr. King also advised contractors to make sure that naturally protected areas, traditional, historic and cultural sites are protected.
He went on to state that soil and water pollution should be avoided and that they should be careful in locating water wells and latrine sites.
All contractors should have in mind that expansion might be made to the schools, protect neighbouring properties and ensure that construction sites do not tamper with the flow of traffic, he cautioned.
-- Jeffrey Williams
Last Modified: January 03, 2012
