By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on Saturday 20th June 2026 officially commissioned the Manowa Bridge, marking the completion of a landmark infrastructure project that replaces decades of cable ferry crossings over the Moa River with permanent road access for thousands of residents in Eastern Sierra Leone.
The newly constructed bridge connects the chiefdoms of Kpeje West, Upper Bambara, Penguia, and Luawa to major regional markets and national transportation networks, significantly improving mobility and economic opportunities for local communities.
With the bridge now operational, farmers, traders, students, healthcare workers, and commuters can cross the river safely and efficiently without the delays, weather-related disruptions, and risks previously associated with cable ferry transportation.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Bio described the bridge as a transformative development for the region and the country as a whole. “This marks a major milestone in our journey to build a vibrant economic network that will uplift our farmers and communities, opening up countless opportunities,” President Bio said.
He further emphasized the significance of the project, declaring: “My government has officially ended the era of cable ferry crossings over the Moa River for the people of Kpeje West, Upper Bambara, Penguia, and Luawa Chiefdoms.”
For many years, residents depended on manually operated cable ferries to transport people and goods across the Moa River. The ferry system often restricted movement to daylight hours, delayed the transportation of agricultural produce, and left communities isolated during the rainy season.
The Manowa Bridge eliminates these challenges by providing uninterrupted access between agricultural communities and key commercial centres, including Kenema, Bo, and Freetown. The improved transportation link is expected to facilitate trade, reduce travel times, and enhance the movement of goods and services throughout the region.
The bridge forms part of the government’s broader agenda to strengthen rural infrastructure and integrate remote communities into Sierra Leone’s national economy. Improved connectivity is expected to lower transportation costs, increase farmers’ incomes, and encourage investment in agricultural processing, storage facilities, and other economic activities along the corridor.
The project is also expected to improve access to essential services, enabling teachers, healthcare workers, and patients to travel more easily between communities on both sides of the river.
President Bio expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its support in the successful implementation of the project. “I am immensely grateful to the World Bank for its unwavering support to our development initiatives,” he stated.
With the bridge now open to traffic, attention will turn to maximizing its economic and social benefits. Transport operators, farmer cooperatives, local businesses, and district authorities are expected to expand services along the new route, while government agencies will oversee maintenance efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the infrastructure.
For communities that once endured long waits and uncertainty at ferry crossings, the commissioning of the Manowa Bridge represents the beginning of a new era—one defined by reliable transportation, expanded economic opportunities, improved access to services, and stronger connections between Eastern Sierra Leone and the rest of the country.