July 12, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
The Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) having projected one hundred and fifty billion Leones for the year 2021, the road from Calaba town to Ferry Junction in the Eastern of Freetown, is being accessed for rehabilitation by the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).
The projected amount is expected to come from driving licenses and charges from the fuel consumed in the country as less than eight Leones (Le 8) is charged per every litre of fuel. In 2018, it was Le 295.37 cent and in 2021 it is Le 495.37 cent per litre. In addition, 10% is deducted from every license issued by the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA).
According to the Chief Executive Officer of RMFA, Mohamed Kallon said they collected Le102 Billion in 2020 adding that they are hoping to rise over that amount if possible this year.
He noted that the sum of LE 23 Billion is being budgeted to fund road projects devolved to the Local Councils across the country. He expressed that they are overwhelmed with maintenance projects not having all the funds; “it depends on what is available”, he said.
He disclosed that they are paying nine hundred million (LE 900 Million) monthly to offset bank loans out LE 108 Billion debt.
Citizens in the Western Area are calling on the Ministry of Works to amend the bumpy road and retouch some of the drainages to prevent flooding during this year’s rainy season.