The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for its continuous support in the development of infrastructure in the West African country.
In an interview with Chinese media, the head of state highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations. He emphasized the vital role of Beijing's support for the development of infrastructure in the West African country, including bridges, hospitals and roads.
With a diplomatic relationship spanning five decades, China has actively collaborated with Sierra Leone on various successful railway and bridge projects. A standout example is the Second Juba Bridge, honoring Sierra Leonean hero Sendgbe Pieh, easing traffic congestion in Freetown and improving local mobility.
"I must commend the leadership here for supporting some of those initiatives, like the Juba Bridge that you just mentioned. There are other roads. The stadium that we have is an example. There are quite a lot, as far as Chinese infrastructure development is concerned. They have been of immense importance to us," the president said.
President Bio emphasized the critical role of bridges in improving access to essential services, especially during the rainy season, safeguarding vulnerable groups such as women and children.