Koroma was addressing a meeting of international investors, where he outlined his "big, bold" plans to take the war-ravaged nation into the future, with a three-pronged investment plan in a new economic hub.

This includes turning Lungi, separated from the capital Freetown by the Sierra Leone estuary, into a new city, building a bridge across the estuary, and a total makeover to the international aiport in Lungi.

"Currently, Freetown is too congested and does not meet present and emerging demand for structured services and utilities. The city is largely unplanned and there is no zoning into commercial, residential, industrial and governmental areas," said Koroma.

"Transportation and the mobility of persons and vehicles are significantly hampered due to congestion. While the vehicle and population growth rates remain high, the number of usuable roads is low."

Koroma said pressure on land in the capital has caused "the beauty of the city to erode."

On the need for a modern international airport, Koroma said "the current airport is relatively small and ill-equipped for modern day air carriers."

"Sierra Leoneans must no longer allow that state of our airport to deter investors and visitors."

Koroma said the new bridge would "end significant and costly delays resulting from the unreliable and poor connectivity" to the capital Freetown.

A conference insider said the total cost was estimated at up to $900 million (€630 million)