2004 Press Releases

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New US Embassy: An American Commitment to the Future of Sierra Leone

May 21, 2004

Freetown
Contact: PAO Kevin Green
Tel: 226481

May 21… Each wielding ceremonial shovels, H.E. President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, US Ambassador Peter R. Chaveas, and Director and Chief Operating Officer for Overseas Building Operations of the U.S. Department of State Charles Williams, broke ground today on the site of the new US Embassy building. 

The new $50 million Embassy is being constructed at the foot of Leicester Peak in West Freetown with a target completion date of April 2006.  The lead contractor for this state-of-the-art facility is Caddell Construction who intends to employ 300-400 people, including a significant percentage of skilled local labor.  Local sub-contractor, Sierra Construction Systems, will assist Caddell Construction in this major project. 

President Kabbah, Ambassador Chaveas, and Director Williams each remarked at the ceremony that the US Government’s willingness to construct a world-class Embassy clearly demonstrates US long-term commitment to Sierra Leone.  It was described as “a major step in investing in the future of Sierra Leone and in the interests of the United States in this country and sub-region.”  Ambassador Chaveas made a special point of thanking President Kabbah, noting that the “keen personal interest [he] demonstrated in this project from its inception was of paramount importance.”  The Ambassador went on to thank many senior members of government who, along with the President, delivered the resources, planning and support without which this day would never have been a reality.  This help included a 198-year lease on the land where the new Embassy is under construction.   

When complete, the new US Embassy is designed to allow a full range of diplomatic and consular services.