Oliveros-Romero, J and Paton-Cole, V P (2023) Infrastructure development: Reflections on Sierra Leone infrastructure scheme and the lungi bridge project. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 28(1), pp. 127-144. ISSN 1366-4387
Abstract
Purpose: The Government of Sierra Leone has launched a strategic plan 2019–2022 that includes a large focus on new large infrastructure. This plan includes the Lungi Bridge project, a 7-km bridge for connecting the capital city Freetown with the Lungi airport, procured with a public–private partnership (PPP) model. This study aims to reflect on seven issues regarding the plan implementation and the procurement of the Lungi Bridge project. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses case study analysis (Sierra Leone’s infrastructure plan), in which existing literature and expertise is applied to discuss/reflect the implications for the future. Findings: Among other reflections, this study addresses the benefits and risks of using a PPP option with non-sovereign guarantee, off-balance sheet treatment and a special purpose vehicle for multiple projects; this study also discusses the social risk of misperceiving the bridge as a basic essential transport option (non-voluntary). Practical implications: The reflective process can contribute significantly to policymakers in Sierra Leone and its neighbour countries, as it is a contextualised analysis for the country. Originality/value: Many studies have addressed existing PPP projects and contexts for low-income countries. However, to best of the author’s knowledge, the analysis of a single government infrastructure plan has not been addressed. Moreover, for the Sierra Leone’s context, this is unique.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | low-income countries; lungi bridge; megaproject management; public–private partnerships; Sierra Leone; success factors |
| Index terms: | success factor, infrastructure development, guarantee, megaproject, methodology, partnership, special purpose vehicle, case study, bridge project, implementation, option, income, reflection, Sierra Leone |
| Subjects: | economic analysis, health monitoring assessment and metrics, strategic project management, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements, data collection methods, decision analysis, partnership management, infrastructure and transport systems, research methods, contract structure, infrastructure engineering, professional development, Geography |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Procurement, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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