By Allieu S. Tunkara
More than 1, 000 youth have taken up jobs at the Koya Economic Zone in PortLoko district owned and operated by Arise Industrial Integrated Platform (ARISE IIP). The youth are now actively engaged in the field constructing a perimetre fence around the 1, 800 hectares of land.
The company is working under three phases with the first phase commencing 1st September, this year and ending in September, 2025. USD410m with go into the first phase. Several batches of thousands of youth youth will be brought to the field when the company enters subsequent phases.
Arise IIP is an industrial company that invests in the transformstion of raw agricultural produce into finished goods. A large number of the employees are from Koya community in the PortLoko district. Those without skills are undergoing apprenticeship at Arise IIP with hope of recruitment in the not-too-distant future.
Addressing the press during a media tour last Friday, Paramount Chief, Bai Kompa Bomboli commended government for such a brilliant initiative that will improve livelihoods in his chiefdom and the country at large.
“I cannot provide jobs for the people in my chiefdom which comprises 19 sections. But, with Arise company, my people now have jobs,” the Paramount Chief commended Arise IIP.
Seeing the project as a national development initiative, PC Bomboli called on Sierra Leoneans to put aside partisan politics and work for the common good. With jobs, he believes that law and order will be strengthened in the country to attract more investment.
“Crime will be reduced when jobs are created for the youth,” he opines while urging the youth to take advantage of the opportunities at the moment. Arise IIP’s Construction Manager assures government and Koya residents of more work on the site to bring more hands in subsequent faces.
Santosh Garhone says more facilities and services will be completed within 24 months.
“Roads, water, electricity and storage facilities as well as rice and saw mills, paint and a recycling manufacturing companies will be provided on the site,” he assured government. According to the agreement, he went on, passenger and cargo trains would be brought home to ease transport situation and 200 mega watts installed for the supply of energy.
“The trains are already here,” Garhone informed journalists adding the aim is to ensure that Sierra Leone cuts down on its imports and improve her export to other countries.
With recurrent reports showing that Sierra Leone spends over USD200m, the Arise IIP initiative will stop the foreign exchange flight and put more in government coffers as Sierra Leoneans, under the Arise IIP initiative can  move from importing to exporting.
The focus will be not only on agricultural produce but pharmaceuticals as well. Local farmers will have an opportunity to sell their produce to Arise company with hope of quick profits.
Foreman at the site, Momoh Sesay expresses his sentiments of good will for Arise IIP’s initiative.
“This is the first time for us to see such opportunities in our community,” Sesay expressed joy and hoped to see more in the not-too-distant future. He urged the youth to embrace the company as it works for the good of the community.
Similar sentiments were also offered by a female stakeholder in the community, Emma Fullah. She prays and hopes that the company stays for good in the community at it spells a bright future for the youth of not only Koya Chiefdom but also Sierra Leone.
“The youth are now taking part in several construction projects and others are being trained so that they can take up jobs in the future,” Emma told Nightwatch. She also hopes that women will come on board when it is time.
“It is not yet time for us as women; but, soon we will come on board,” she expressed hope.One of workers, Osman Kargbo is doing an apprenticeship at Arise IPP site, and hopes to take up job soon after completion.
“I am quite hopeful that I will stay in the job after the apprenticeship,” Kargbo expressed hope. He is one of the land owners for the site, and was a farmer before this time.
“I have been too long in farming, but I have not realised much, but with Arise company, I will earn a life-time skill even if the company leaves,” Kargbo told this press in an exclusive interview.
Village head, Mohamed Koroma is part of the workforce, sees Arise IIP’s initiative as a national development project. Like Kargbo, Koroma is thrilled for words at the scale of employment that has been carried out by the company.
He hopes that more will be recruited from the community except where there is a lack of capacity.
“I know that I and the elders will be contacted when a worker is needed and hopeful that any person pointed out will be employed except if he does not have the skills required,” he also expressed hope.
Arise company has a sound record of transforming economies by the exploitation of resources for the common good.
Benin is a classical example of countries which has risen from rags to riches when Arise IIP gained a foothold in the West African country. Benin is now the highest exporter of Cotton in the world thanks to Arise IIP. With all things equal, it is set to do the same in Sierra Leone.