Idris Elba has shared details of his “dream” to turn an island off the coast of Sierra Leone, the country where his father was born, into an environmentally friendly smart city.
The actor is working with his childhood friend to develop Sherbro, which is roughly the size of the Isle of Man, after the island was given enough autonomy by the west African nation’s government to allow the work to go ahead.
In the beginning, our intention was to devise ways to attract tourists to the amazing 19-mile beachfront,” Elba explained to the BBC. However, his companion Siaka Stevens pointed out that Sierra Leone was not yet equipped to handle such a large number of tourists.
Instead, the duo – who were raised in east London – opted for a more daring endeavor. Their enterprise, Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), has made deals with the government of Sierra Leone and various large corporations to construct an environmentally-friendly city through a public-private partnership.
A partnership has been formed with energy company Octopus to construct Sierra Leone’s inaugural windfarm on the island. This island currently has no access to electricity and is a two-hour ferry ride from the mainland. Elba emphasized the importance of utilizing sustainable methods in the development of this project.
Equally important will be respecting local culture and sensibilities, with Elba expressing his hope to create a “culturally diverse international city that blends African tradition, dynamism, and pride with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services”.
He expressed a desire to preserve the unspoiled nature of the island, as it is a lovely, verdant corner of the globe and should be left undisturbed.
He stated: “The focus is on self-sufficiency and creating an economy with the ability to thrive. I am strongly committed to changing the perspective of Africa from being seen as a recipient of aid. This opportunity is distinct from that model.”
He and Stevens have laid out three fundamental guidelines for the project. One of these is creating it with an emphasis on African cultural values and principles, which highlight community, teamwork, and reverence for nature.
They also announced their intention to create an infrastructure that can adjust to shifting societal, economic, and environmental circumstances. They aim to follow the principles of eco city development, which involves constructing in a manner that prioritizes being environmentally conscious, energy-efficient, and able to withstand the effects of climate change.
Stevens noted that the progress on the island would rely on renewable energy sources.
The duo mentioned that they had made an effort to communicate with citizens on the island. They added that they have individually made multiple trips to meet with community leaders.
In the previous month, Lloyds of London declared their involvement in the project. However, they also mentioned that Stevens and Elba’s company was still working on conducting feasibility studies with the government of Sierra Leone.
Elba and Stevens expressed their desire to begin work on the project approximately one year after the start of their studies. However, they have emphasized that this will be a long-term process lasting several decades.
The project’s feasibility is a crucial concern, as SAP aims to secure billions of dollars from multiple outlets.
The US-Senegalese singer Akon is another artist who announced a plan to build a futuristic city in his ancestral homeland. The first phase of his project was due to be completed by late last year. But, as the Guardian reported in December, the project has been beset by delays and controversy – with only a youth centre and the shell of what is planned to be the “welcome centre” having been built so far.
Although there has been admiration for the Afrofuturistic design of the proposed city, doubts have arisen about its potential realization due to insufficient information regarding the plans.
In regards to his abilities, Elba has been upfront about his strengths. He mentioned, “I never would have imagined that I could establish the groundwork for a cutting-edge city. I don’t have the necessary qualifications for that. But, I do have the skill to think ambitiously.”
“It’s a fantasy, but I am employed in the industry of imagination.”
He stated, “One part of me desires to construct a lovely retirement residence for my mother.”
The performer mentioned to the TV network that his deceased father may have viewed the aspiration as unrealistic. Nevertheless, he expressed that his father would be proud and advise his son, “If you’re going to pursue it, make sure you do it correctly. Give it your all and put your heart into it, because that’s the most you can do.”
Source: theguardian.com
