By: Austin Thomas (Awoko-Sierra Leone)
The General Manager of Hunan Construction Engineering Group Corporation, Zhou Jianbo, in an exclusive interview, has said they will finish the three dams they are constructing in Sierra Leone with a deadline of March 2015.
Speaking to this medium at their base camp in Charlotte, Zhou said they are constructing three dams in Sierra Leone; one in Charlotte, the other in Makali and the third in Port Loko.
He said all three constructions have reached an advanced stage and almost all the major equipment has arrived to complete the projects.
Amb. Zhao and staff of Hunan Construction Engineering Group Corporation at the dam site
Zhou said they started these projects in 2011 and they would have finished last year, but due to the rains and other unforeseen happenings, there was a delay.
Speaking about the funding of these projects, the General Manager said the Charlotte and Makali dams are fully funded by the Chinese Government under the Sino-Sierra Leone relationship, as he said the Chinese government is determined to help improve Sierra Leone’s electricity generation.
The third dam, the Gbankasoka, they are constructing in Port Loko, he said, is funded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and they were given the project because of the two dams they are already constructing.
When asked about the output of the dams, Zhou said the Charlotte dam will generate 2.2 megawatts, the Makali dam will generate about 1.7 megawatts and the Port Loko one will generate 2 mega watts.
He said when these projects would have been completed, they will help to increase the electricity output in the country. He said the more electricity the country has; the better it will be for rapid development.
He said without constant electricity, development will be slow.
He thanked the Sierra Leone Government for the unwavering support they have given them, as they have enjoyed working in the country in the last two years.
Zhou averred that they are doing a very good job of high quality that the people of Sierra Leone will enjoy for a long time.
When asked about the challenges they are facing, the Field Manager, Xiuneng Hu, said communication with the Sierra Leonean workers is one major challenge they face, as it took some time before they could understand each other. He also said the cultural difference is another challenge, as well as the weather and some health problems.
Xiuneng Hu, whose English name is Frank, said the terrain they are working, caused the delay but he believes that they have overcome all the difficult part and they are now moving forward to complete all three projects in March next year.
He said they have been building dams in Africa and China as they have a wealth of experience in this kind of job. He commended the Sierra Leone government for their support, as he said they have been receiving many government officials paying visits and supporting them in pushing the projects.
He also said the former Chinese Ambassador and the new Ambassador and other Chinese officials usually visit to encourage them to work well and make sure they respect and work with their Sierra Leonean counterparts with humility and respect.
He said they have enjoyed their stay in Sierra Leone and praised the beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people. “The beaches are beautiful, so also the landscape of the country” headed.
Zhou wished all Chinese in the country, a wonderful and prosperous Chinese New Year, as they celebrate the year of the Horse.
Hunan Construction Engineering Group Corporation constructs buildings, roads, bridge, and hydropower projects in China. It also engages in interior decoration, information and network engineering, mechanized earthwork, real estate development, mechanical and electrical erection, airport and municipal work, logistics, concrete fabrication, mechanical manufacturing, equipment lease, engineering supervision, contracting agency, survey and design, scientific research and training, overseas contract undertakings, and labour supply and international trade activities. Hunan Construction Engineering Group Corporation was founded in 1952 and is based in Changsha, China.