EU to invest massively in Sierra Leone

Freetown (

), Feb 28: The

has informed Sierra Leonean parliamentarians that it has earmarked 376 million euros (over $ 516 million) for development projects in the West African country between 2014 and 2020.

Tom Ashwaden, the EU representative in Sierra Leone, made the disclosure in an interactive session with the parliamentarians on Wednesday, when he said that the EU will invest massively in Sierra Leone's educational sector and would encourage transparency and accountability in the implementing process, Xinhua reported.

He noted that they would have no hesitation to come hard on the country if the funds were not judiciously utilised as the money is coming from tax payers in Europe.

Cooperation between the EU and Sierra Leone began in 1975 with the signing of the Lome Convention.

IANS