Bastille's Story｜From Sierra Leone to Hong Kong: How a Foreign Engineer Puts Down Roots in His Second Home

Originally from Sierra Leone, a Belt and Road country, engineer Fakeh Moses has steadily forged his own path in Hong Kong, a city he now calls his second home. With solid professional expertise, he has contributed his technical skills to multiple infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, witnessing the city's growth and transformation through his dedication and hard work. Beyond his professional duties, Moses also volunteers as a mentor in the HKSAR Government's Strive and Rise Programme, where he listens to, accompanies, and helps ethnic minority youth from underprivileged backgrounds overcome daily challenges, encouraging them to face life with a positive attitude. For his contributions, the HKSAR Government presented Moses with the Active Participation Award under the Programme.

Fakeh Moses, Photo by Bastille Post

Moses, who is currently doing his part in constructing Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, told the Bastille Post that Hong Kong has become his “second home.” Over the years, he has felt the city’s resilience and vitality in its relentless pursuit of development. Looking ahead, he hopes to bring this momentum back to his hometown, Sierra Leone, inspiring more local young people to strive forward.

Craftsmanship in Projects, Expertise through Practice

Fakeh Moses studied engineering at a Mainland Chinese university before joining China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited (CSHK) in 2017. He has since contributed to a range of local infrastructure projects, including the Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant, the Tseung Kwan O - Lam Tin Tunnel, and the Central - Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel. His performance earned him the corporation's recognition and an overseas posting to India and Dubai, where he helped deepen CSHK's international business footprint.

Recalling his past experiences, Moses said one Chinese New Year holiday stood out. To maintain project progress, he gave up time with his family and stayed on site with colleagues to overcome scheduling pressures. Although the extra work cost him a festive reunion, he felt deeply gratified watching the plans on paper take shape in a short time. "That was something I was pleased to do," he said. "It was an honor, and I wanted to make a contribution, so I was willing to do that."

Beyond his frontline efforts, Moses also actively absorbed management and coordination experience, turning each task into a driving factor of professional growth. Photo by Bastille Post

Beyond his frontline efforts, Moses also actively absorbed management and coordination experience, turning each task into a driving factor of professional growth. During his time in India and Dubai, he handled contract coordination for projects including the Hyderabad International Airport – Passenger Terminal Building, Dubai Sport City, and Dubai Mall Hotel, working closely with local partners to ensure contract terms could be accurately implemented.

In Moses' view, these overseas experiences not only broadened his project management perspective and exposed him to different market environments and industry standards, but also laid a solid foundation for his subsequent return to Hong Kong as a Senior Contract Manager. He noted that working across cultures helped him adapt to different market rules, respond flexibly, as well as communicate and coordinate more effectively, balancing the interests of all parties with project goals.

The Hyderabad International Airport – Passenger Terminal Building, Photo source: CSHK

Dubai Sport City, Photo source: CSHK

As an engineer by training, Moses initially focused on technical details and construction quality, prioritising how to build projects more solidly and safely. But after transitioning to contract manager, he gradually developed a holistic mindset, learning to integrate cost control and risk management into the interests of all stakeholders. "You need to know how to coordinate different parties' needs and expectations to ensure rational allocation of project funds." This taught him that the goal of an engineering project is not just to build well, but to spend funds wisely, finding a balance between quality and economic efficiency, coordinating diverse demands, and ensuring projects deliver both quality and cost-effectiveness.

For Moses, a construction project is not merely about building well; it is also about spending funds where they can deliver the greatest value. Photo by Bastille Post

In the Name of Mentorship, Lighting Up Young Lives Through Companionship

Outside of work, Moses actively dedicates his spare time to volunteer service in Hong Kong, extending care to young people around him. With CSHK's support, he signed up for the HKSAR Government's Strive and Rise Programme, serving as a mentor to ethnic minority youth from underprivileged backgrounds. He listens to the challenges they face in daily life and encourages them to embrace life with a positive attitude.

CSHK actively encourages the employees to participate in the Strive and Rise Programme. Photo source: CSHK

Moses shared a heartwarming story. He recounted that the mother of one programme participant once called him when her child was experiencing psychological distress, hoping he could promptly reach out to the child and help relieve the pressure. Moses was deeply moved that the parent thought of him when her child needed help most. Even though he is not a professional psychological counsellor, his willingness to accompany the children and listen to their concerns led parents to see him as someone they could rely on, a trust he considers a treasured responsibility.

It was this sincere dedication, the support and companionship he offered to the youth, that earned Moses recognition from the HKSAR Government. In December 2025, he was presented with the Active Participation Award by Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Chan Kwok-ki, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to volunteer service.

In December 2025, Moses (third from right, front row) was presented with the Active Participation Award by Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Chan Kwok-ki, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to volunteer service. Photo source: CSHK

Moses was delighted by the unexpected honour. "What I do is just small things, not very big. It's nothing like rocket science. It's just a little bit of kindness, a little bit of help and a little bit of my time." He expressed deep gratitude for the Government's recognition and thanked CSHK for providing him the opportunity to join the programme, enabling him to contribute to society despite his busy work schedule.

He noted that CSHK strongly supports employees in volunteering and provides volunteer leave, allowing staff to serve the community. This has given colleagues greater motivation to spread warmth throughout society. Moses said he will continue to fulfil his role as a mentor, hoping to accompany more children and light the way forward for young people in need.

Moses noted that CSHK strongly supports employees in volunteering and provides volunteer leave, allowing staff to serve the community. Photo source: CSHK

CSHK staff actively take part in volunteer service, sharing warmth with those in need. Photo source: CSHK

Building the Northern Metropolis Transport Hub, Hoping to Give Back to Hometown Youth

In the "Improvement Works of Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung Portion) and Associated Works" project currently undertaken by CSHK, Moses is responsible for negotiating various related contracts to ensure the project progresses steadily within the contractual framework. As a Senior Contract Manager, he not only balances the interests of all parties, effectively controls costs and maximises the value of funds, but also contributes to the development of the Northern Metropolis.

The planning schematic of the "Improvement Works of Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung Portion) and Associated Works" project, Photo by Bastille Post

The construction site of the "Improvement Works of Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung Portion) and Associated Works" project, Photo by Bastille Post

"My job is like being a guide, enabling my colleagues to steadily advance construction progress and effectively mitigate potential risks," Moses said. He noted that the Kwu Tung Portion of Fanling Highway is located in the core area of the Kwu Tung North New Development Area and plays a critical strategic role in the future transport network of the Northern Metropolis. For him, every coordination of funds and every finalisation of a contract lays the foundation for the transport network of the Northern Metropolis, giving him greater motivation and a sense of mission, as he hopes to gradually witness the grand vision of the Northern Metropolis move from blueprint to reality.

With Moses and his team members working hand in hand to advance the project, the travel blueprint for Northern Metropolis residents is gradually becoming a reality. Photo by Bastille Post

Asked about his expectations for the Northern Metropolis's development, Moses said it can inject strong momentum into Hong Kong's future development, effectively bringing more research, entrepreneurship and job opportunities to the city, enabling more overseas talents who harbour dreams like him to realise their personal value in Hong Kong through their professional knowledge and experience, making the city's development ever more prosperous. He is full of confidence in the Northern Metropolis's future development and looks forward to more talents from around the world converging in the area, driving it to become a new engine for Hong Kong's future economic growth.

Moses and his teammates will conduct on-site inspections to monitor the project's progress. Photo by Bastille Post

The Northern Metropolis, Photo source: reference image

Looking ahead, Moses hopes to have the opportunity to give back what he has gained in Hong Kong to his hometown, Sierra Leone, inspiring more local young people to strive forward. He particularly mentioned that Hong Kong's resilience and vitality in its relentless pursuit of development are key factors enabling the city to stand out on the international stage.

In his view, Hong Kong is a city that changes with each passing day and progresses constantly. The current construction momentum of the Northern Metropolis is precisely a manifestation of this innovative spirit. To gain an advantage in future development, one should learn to advance with the times and pursue continuous innovation. He hopes this will not only drive his own continuous growth, but also inspire more young people in Sierra Leone to be proactive and strive to become better versions of themselves.

Two registered minor works contractors and their authorized signatories disciplined

The Registered Contractors' Disciplinary Board has completed two disciplinary inquiries under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) and decided that one of the registered minor works contractors (RMWC) and its authorized signatory (AS) should be disciplined for having been convicted by a court of offences related to building works, and the other RMWC and its AS-cum-director should also be disciplined for having been convicted of relevant offences, and negligent or having misconducted themselves in building works.

The Board's written decisions and orders issued on October 20 were published in the Gazette today (November 6). Details are available at the following links:

Case 1: egazette.gld.gov.hk/pdf?type=egn&year=2026&volume=30&gno=45¬ice_no=7125

Case 2: egazette.gld.gov.hk/pdf?type=egn&year=2026&volume=30&gno=45¬ice_no=7126

The first case involved the alteration of a wall signboard at a shop on Yuen Long On Ning Road. The RMWC and its AS submitted a certificate to the BD in December 2022, certifying that the subject minor works, which were type C minor works under Class III, had been completed. An investigation by the BD revealed that the RMWC and its AS did not register the type and item of the said minor works, yet they had carried out and certified minor works for which they were not registered. The RMWC and its AS were subsequently prosecuted by the BD, and were convicted and fined $12,000 in total at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts in August 2024, pursuant to sections 40(2E) and 40(5) of the BO. In view of the convictions, the BD notified the Board for its consideration of disciplinary action against the RMWC and its AS under the provision of sections 13(1) and 13(3) of the BO.

Upon completion of the disciplinary inquiry, the Board ordered that the RMWC be removed from the register of minor works contractors for two months with effect from the date of the Gazette, and the AS be fined $4,000. Also, the RMWC and its AS were ordered to pay a total of $42,000, being the costs of the Board and the BD for conducting the inquiry.

The second case involved the erection of a wall signboard at the external wall of a building on Shau Kei Wan Road. The RMWC submitted a prescribed form to the BD in July 2022, notifying the commencement of Class II minor works for erecting a wall signboard at the external wall with a display area not larger than 10 square metres; and a certificate to the BD in the same month certifying the completion of the minor works. An investigation by the BD revealed that the display area of the said signboard was larger than 10 sq m, which should have been classified as Class I minor works requiring the appointment of prescribed building professionals to submit prescribed plans and details of works, and a notice of commencement and a certificate of completion of the works. The RMWC and its AS(also being the director of the RMWC) were subsequently prosecuted by the BD, and were convicted and fined $16,000 in total at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts in May 2024, pursuant to sections 40(2A)(c), 40(2A)(e) and 40(6) of the BO. In view of the convictions and that the RMWC and its AS-cum-director had been negligent or had misconducted themselves in building works, the BD notified the Board for its consideration to take disciplinary action against the RMWC and its AS-cum-director under the provisions of sections 13(1) and 13(3) of the BO.

Upon completion of the disciplinary inquiry, the Board ordered that the RMWC be removed from the register of minor works contractors for two months with effect from the date of the Gazette and be fined $4,000, and the AS-cum-director be fined $12,000 in total. Also, the RMWC and its AS-cum-director were ordered to pay a total of $46,300, being the costs of the Board and the BD for conducting the inquiry.

A spokesperson for the BD reiterated that any registered contractor who contravenes the relevant provisions of the BO in carrying out building works, or is convicted by any court of an offence relating to building works, or has been negligent or has misconducted himself in building works, will be subject to enforcement action including criminal prosecution and disciplinary action under the BO.

Source: AI-found images