March 11, 2021
By: Mohamed Kargbo
The Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructural Development, Mr. Peter Bayuku Conteh has told journalists that 13 cable ferries will be converted to modern bridges. He made this disclosure on 4th March, 2021, at the Ministry of Information and Communications, press conference hosted at the 8th Floor of Youyi Building in Freetown.
“The Ministry in collaboration with Sierra Leone Roads Authority, World Bank and the European Union are working on the transformation of 13 ferries crossings conversion to modern bridges,” the Minister disclosed.
He further said that the 13 cable ferries crossings will be introduced in Sumbuya, Mattru-John, Gendema, Manowa, Manawa, Komrabai, Tomparie, Mabanta, Yebele, Kabba, Bantoro, Masimera and Ribi.
According to the Minister of Works, the European Union will only fund the feasibilities studies of six (6) of these ferries, whilst the World Bank will fund the feasibilities studies of seven (7) with the aim of constructing four (4) of these ferries to bridges.
“Feeder road works are ongoing nationwide,” he said adding that SCADEP is rehabilitating 142km of feeder roads in Port Loko, Tonkolili, Kono, Kailahun, Moyamba and Bonthe District.
“NACSA is rehabilitating 91.9km of Feeder Road Projects in Koinadugu, Falaba, Kono, and Kailahun,” he further revealed.
Minister Peter Bayuku Conteh said in 2020, Road Maintenance Fund (RMFA) maintenance through the 21 Local Councils ensured that 183.9km of feeder roads were repaired.
He also disclosed that the Ministry in collaboration with Sierra Leone Roads Authority supervised SCADEP funded feeder roads projects in Kono, Tonkolili, and Moyamba Districts He expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that that the contractors involved with this project are far behind schedule.
He however bragged that ongoing feeder roads are far better than those of the past, as they are constantly being monitored and supervised.