By Sulaiman Jalloh

Parliament through the Committee on Finance, Transparency and Accountability, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, paid a courtesy call on the management of Bread Avenue at its headquarters in Wellington, East of Freetown.

In her opening remarks, the Deputy Chairperson for the Committee, Hon. Alice Jebeh Kumabeh stated that they as Members of Parliament went there in order to get firsthand information about operations of the institution and also to provide their oversight responsibilities.

On his part, the General Manager of Sonoco Sierra Leone, Mark Pritchard said Sonoco is a Guinean Company that has, over the years, been the leading flour manufacturing companies in the subregion, adding his institution is currently constructing a flour mill which, he said, is a fifty million United states Dollars investment. “By next year, we will start to supply enough flour in Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries, Guinea and Liberia,” the general manager stated. According to him, the completion of the fifty million United States Dollar investment will see more employment of more than seven hundred citizens in the country. He further disclosed that Bread Avenue is divided into two parts with one serving as restaurant and the other, academy where young people are taught do bakery, pastry and entrepreneurship at free of cost. Mark Pritchard maintained that they are trying to expand Bread Avenue to other parts of Freetown, including the West and Central part of the city, something, he said, will be actualized by the first phase of next year. He furthered that he is proud of the academy, pointing out that over eighty students have already benefited in the first phase as the institution aims to support the young generation by also providing start-up capital after graduation.

In her response, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee Hon. Alice Jebeh Kumabeh commended the management of Sonoco Sierra Leone for what she considered as good news, especially when it encourages entrepreneurship. She however encouraged Bread Avenue to work in a healthy environment for the citizens.

On his part, Hon. Unpha Sorie Gbassay Koroma representing the Constituency in Wellington appreciated Sonoco for adding value to not only his community, but also enhancing a healthy country. He therefore called on the company to continue its excellent corporate social responsibilities and always have a cordial working relationship with the community.

Head Teacher of the Academy, Madam Kadiatu Marie Akafo, expressed thanks and appreciation to Parliament for the visit. She also disclosed that everything students are using is free and that before the inception of Bread Avenue there was dire need for skills that would develop the country.

Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, June 21th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)