By Ragan Conteh
Technical Engineer, Car Wash Services Project, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Juana Koroma has, in an exclusive interview with this medium, stated that the ongoing construction of car wash services in various Car Wash Youth Centers in the Western Area cost a whooping sum of over two billions Leones.
He disclosed that the project stands to benefit the young people of Sierra Leone not the Sierra Leone People’s Party Youths.
The project, according to the Technical Engineer, would address daunting challenges facing young people in the respective communities that are engaged in the business of car washing across the country.
The key objective of the project is to provide job opportunities, entrepreneurship and trainings for young people.
It seeks to construct and equip ten car wash construction sites across Freetown as a pilot phase.
The Ministry of Youth is undertaking the project for a five years and it will later target other areas across the country.
Mr. Koroma pointed out that the project when completed will benefit over 2,100 direct beneficiaries and 1,500 indirect beneficiaries.
Each of the Car Wash centers will create jobs for 35 youths and that the entire pilot phase in the capital City of Freetown will create a total of 350 jobs for young people.
Mr. Koroma maintained that the youths will run the centers at a cost recovery basis with youths incurring benefits while the Ministry of Youth Affairs will also have a percentage from the proceeds.
Chairman, Wellington-Old Warf Car Wash project, Mohamed Koroma aka Colabo, told this medium that the initiative by the Ministry of Youths to modernize the car wash centers is a laudable one.
The project, he noted, will empower the young generation.
He pointed out that they have traded in the cash wash industry for over thirty years with very little opportunities to make a living, but that with the introduction of the car wash project, they are set to better their lives and those of their immediate dependants.
“The youths are in dire need of opportunities to showcase their skills, the painting of the car wash project buildings with green, white and blue colors signifies that the project is a national one devoid of politics,’’ Koroma stated.
Mr. Colabo pointed out that the Ministry is yet to map out a sustainable strategy on how the project will be managed.
A youth, Rashid Sondufu at the Wellington, Njala Junction car wash, pointed out that the project was amongst other things set-up to empower youths in the various communities.
Mr. Kandeh Sheriff of Wellington Old Road Car Wash Youths was full of praise for the project and reiterated the values and benefits when completed.
He said they have been in the car wash businesses for decades and vowed to resist any moves to sidestep them.
Aminata Jalloh, a resident of Fourah Bay College Car Wash Center area, stated that the move by the Ministry of Youth is key to the aspirations of the youths.
Our investigations have proved that the Ministry of Youth Affairs who are the implementers of the project have failed to fully involve the youths at the various centers in the initial development of the project.
Most youths spoken to are not aware of the components of the project and it is wrong that a Ministry in charge of Youth Affairs would develop a youth project without adequately involving the youths.
This medium is on the verge of completing an in-depth investigation into the project with a view to bring out certain information to the public.
We will not allow youth projects to take the footsteps of the Youth in Fisheries and Agriculture Projects etc. in the then Ministry of Youth Affairs that were reportedly meant for youths but were clouded in secrecy.
All of these projects are today subjects of investigation at the Commissions of Enquiry.