AMBASSADOR TIMBO TO DEVELOP SIERRA LEONE THROUGH ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY By Hassan Bruz Northern Bureau Chief The Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates –His Excellency Siray Alpha Timbo has expressed his determination to help develop Sierra Leone through economic diplomacy. The Ambassador who described his appointment as a honourable call to national service, made the statement in Port Loko at the end of a 3 Day Retreat organised by the Infrastructural Design, Engineering and Architectural Services [IDEAS] in which he served as Executive Director. Ambassador Timbo was allaying the fears of those who entertain the doubt that his new appointment has the potential to disrupt the smooth operations and even collapse the entire existence of this consulting Architectural Firm. He said his political appointment would in no way dampen the operations of the Company because he had earlier set up the necessary structures that will ensure the sustenance of the Company. He said his desire for such a National service under the leadership of President Ernest Bai Koroma cannot be compromised especially now when the target is to develop a winning team for the rebranding and eventual development of the Nation as a whole. He viewed this as the most opportune time for every well meaning Sierra Leonean to come on board and complement the remarkable efforts of President Ernest Bai Koroma in rebranding Sierra Leone. While urging Sierra Leoneans to put aside tribal, regional and all other forms of sentiments in the light of National development, Ambassador Siray Alpha Timbo gave a brief background on the circumstances that led to the formation of the Infrastructural Design, Engineering and Architectural Services [IDEAS]. He recalled the difficulties people were exposed to in securing a decent lodging especially in accommodating Travellers and Foreign Nationals in the countryside. The Ambassador told the Sierra Leone News Agency [SLENA] in an interview that the Company was formed and registered in 1992, and commenced effective operations in 1994. He went further to explain how what is now known to be the ‘’M J Chain of Motels’’ was started in a bid to address the gaping problems of shelter following the infrastructural destructions in the years of civil conflict in the Country. He said this was the principal reason why they established the Makeni M J Motel in 2005 which was followed by the Port Loko Motel in 2009, adding that the Kabala M J Motel was constructed in 2013. The Ambassador said the Company has not only been able to carve out an obvious relief in terms of conducive lodging in the aforementioned areas, but has also enhanced tourism, provided gainful employment for able- bodied Natives in the respective Localities. He said these establishments are of international standards and have since been attracting the admiration of coordinators and organisers who deem it fit to conduct workshops, seminars and conferences in these facilities, thereby fostering development in the localities. His Excellency Ambassador Siray Alpha Timbo is a descendant of Rokulan in the Bombali District who had his Primary School Education in the Dibia Chiefdom Headquarter town of Gbinty in the Northern District of Port Loko. He then proceeded to the St Francis Secondary School in Makeni in 1971 after an impressive result at the selective entrance examinations. He again emerged with the best General Certificate Examinations result at the Ordinary Levels in 1976 for the entire country. The now Ambassador then travelled out of the country 2 years later to study Architecture in Romania. He returned to Sierra Leone in 1986 and served at the International Construction Company for a good number of years. The Ambassador who was brimful of praise for his former School Teacher- one Mr. Ernest Briama Kamara popularly known as ‘’Okomo’’ from whom he derived his motivation, said, the Motel in Port Loko was established because it was where he had his Primary School Education. Apart from Bombali which is his home District, the Ambassador said the idea to invest in Kabala was as a result of the deprived status of that District. He reiterated his belief in investments and explained how he has so far had no regrets in the ventures, even though recoveries are hardly realised before 7 years after an establishment. His Excellency –Ambassador Siray Alpha Timbo spoke of the Motto of his Company-‘’Best Hospitality’’ and its corresponding competitive requirements as one of the key challenges. He made mention of the need to upgrade the skills of Staff and Workers to international standard. He particularly emphasised the lack of a reliable source of electricity supply in most of his operational areas. The Ambassador zeroed with an appeal for the cooperation of community members from which about 90 percent of workers were recruited. You can now have a look at the Photos of the Ambassador himself and one of his Children at the threshold of the Port Loko M J Motel Complex where he disclosed plans to extend similar services to the rest of the country including Bo, Kenema and Freetown,,,,,,,
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 02:59:43 +0000
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