PRESIDENT ADAMA BARROW HAILS LUNGI CONFERENCE CENTRE AS A BEACON FOR THE REGION

The Gambia’s President, Adama Barrow, has hailed the newly commissioned Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi as “a monument to Sierra Leone’s vision, mission, and confidence.”

Speaking at the official commissioning ceremony, President Barrow said the state-of-the-art facility stands as clear evidence of Sierra Leone’s ambition to lead in diplomacy, development, and regional cooperation. He described the centre as more than infrastructure, calling it a symbol of what is possible when leadership is anchored in long-term planning and national pride.

President Barrow emphasised the deep and enduring relationship between Sierra Leone and The Gambia. He noted that both countries are bound together not only by geography and ECOWAS membership, but also by a shared history of resilience, democracy, peace, and regional integration. According to him, the new conference centre will serve as a venue where those shared values can be translated into concrete action for West Africa.

The event also drew high-level regional attention. President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar A. Touray, announced a major repurposing of the ECOWAS logistics depot based in Sierra Leone. Originally established to support peace operations and personnel logistics, the depot is now being transformed into a multi-dimensional hub for humanitarian response, disaster relief, medical assistance, disease control, and training. Dr. Touray said the move will strengthen ECOWAS’ capacity to respond quickly to crises across the region.

With the commissioning of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre, Sierra Leone cements another milestone in its emergence as a regional hub for diplomacy, peace, and international cooperation. The facility is expected to host global summits, trade forums, and continental meetings, positioning Lungi and Freetown at the center of West Africa’s conversations on governance, security, and development.