A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) embarked on a visit to the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on March 5th, 2024, to assess its progress. Led by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) of Sierra Leone, Kenyeh Barley, the delegation included esteemed officials from ECOWAS, such as Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, Commissioner of Internal Services, and H.E. Ambassador Abdel-Fatau MUSAH, PhD., Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.

The primary objective of the visit was to evaluate the advancements made in the project and deliberate on its future trajectory. Notably, the delegation was impressed by the near-completion status of the depot, with construction reaching an impressive 98% completion rate as of mid-January 2024.

Discussions during the visit encompassed various aspects, including the potential for future expansion by securing additional land—a formal request initiated by the Sierra Leone government in 2023. Commissioner Darma underscored the pivotal role of the depot in bolstering regional peace and security, emphasizing ECOWAS's unwavering commitment to addressing regional threats. He lauded the collaborative efforts between the Sierra Leone government and the ECOWAS team, acknowledging their collective dedication in realizing the project's objectives.

Furthermore, deliberations extended to strategies for enhancing security measures, ensuring a dependable power supply, managing stormwater drainage effectively, and securing additional land to accommodate the depot's long-term requirements.

Amb. Arouna Moussa, ECOWAS resident representative in Sierra Leone, expressed profound satisfaction with the progress achieved thus far in the project. He commended all stakeholders involved, including the ECOWAS Commission, the Sierra Leone government, the project contractors, and the resident staff, for their relentless commitment to bringing the depot to fruition.

This visit not only signifies ECOWAS's active engagement in regional development initiatives but also underscores the strategic importance of the logistics depot in fostering regional integration and security. As construction nears completion, the depot is poised to serve as a critical hub for logistical operations, facilitating smoother coordination and cooperation among ECOWAS member states.

In essence, the visit by the ECOWAS delegation reaffirms the organization's dedication to fostering regional cooperation and development. It highlights the collective efforts of all stakeholders involved in advancing initiatives aimed at enhancing peace, security, and economic prosperity across West Africa.