By: Aminata Sesay
In a passionate and extensive debate, Members of Parliament (MPs) across Sierra Leone deliberated on the recently signed Concession Agreement for the construction of the Mano Junction – Tongo – Bumpeh Road Project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The agreement, dated August 4, 2025, involves the Government of Sierra Leone, represented by the Ministry of Works and Public Assets (MOWPA) and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), in partnership with Sociedad Djuara Martel Contractors (SDMC) Ltd & Partners.
The agreement outlines the design, construction, tolling, operation, and maintenance of the highway using the Design-Finance-Build-Operate-Transfer (DFBOT) model. A related document, the Stakeholder Engagement Report by SLRA, was also tabled, offering insights into the project’s scope, financing structure, and community engagement efforts.
Hon. Rugiatu Tarawalie celebrated the progress of the project, calling it “long overdue.” “I’m over the moon,” she said. However, she raised concerns about the potential for excessive toll charges, emphasizing, “It must be two tolls, Mr. Minister two tolls, no more than two.” She argued that if the government funds half of the construction, it should receive half of the toll revenue.
Hon. Musa Fofanah expressed support for the project but underscored the hardship faced by commuters between Kono and Kenema, particularly during the rainy season. He emphasized the importance of MPs being part of future engagement processes. “We are stakeholders in our constituencies,” he pointed out, highlighting the need for parliamentary inclusion in decision-making.
Several lawmakers raised alarms over inconsistencies in the concession documents. Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawalie highlighted contradictions in the toll numbers ranging from three to four and confusion over the duration of the agreement, which varied between 15 and 30 years in different sections. “A typo means a lot,” she warned, urging the Minister of Works to clarify these issues.
Hon. Emilia Loloh Tongi raised concerns about the country’s maintenance culture, stating, “We end up paying $500,000 for things that could have been maintained for \$100,000.” She referenced past failed agreements with foreign contractors, stressing the importance of rigorous document review before any commitments are made.
MPs widely agreed that Parliament must be more involved in the formulation of such agreements. Hon. Zainab Tarawalie proposed involving the Legislative Committee from the outset to avoid the back-and-forth that often delays ratification. She also emphasized the need for clear Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provisions and fair economic returns for both the government and local communities.
Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma raised fiscal concerns, questioning the stated cost of the project $112.4 million. He argued that the actual construction cost might be closer to $85 million and suggested the following three key amendments to the agreement clearly define revenue-sharing mechanisms for toll proceeds, make CSR commitments binding and specific and review and rationalize the total project cost.
In response to the parliamentary debate, Dr. Denis M. Sandy, the Minister of Works and Public Assets, assured MPs that an addendum to the agreement would be developed to incorporate their recommendations. “You will leave this well, very happy,” he said, adding that the revised document would ensure long-term benefits for future generations.
A follow-up meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Speaker’s conference room. MPs, ministry officials, and legal experts will review the documents and address the inconsistencies raised during the debate.
While the Mano Junction – Tongo – Bumpeh Road Project represents a significant step forward in Sierra Leone’s infrastructure development, the parliamentary debate made it clear that oversight, transparency, and public interest must guide its implementation. The tone of the debate reflected a maturing legislative body committed to ensuring that national development is both inclusive and sustainable.
As the government prepares to finalize the agreement with Sociedad Djuara Martel Contractors (SDMC) Ltd & Partners, all eyes will be on Parliament to ensure that the voices of citizens, especially those in rural districts, are not only heard but protected.