By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In order to facilitate easy and smooth movement of agricultural produce and to also end the more than century old connectivity challenge between the two towns, President Julius Maada Bio has on Friday the 2nd of June 2023, turned sod for the construction of the Mattru Jong-Senehun bridge. The said construction is expected to be completed in fifteen months according to the contract specification.
President Bio said since independence, Mattru Jong Bridge linking Senehun village had been neglected and forgotten. He therefore, assured the locals that in fifteen months, the bridge would be constructed. He also urged the contractors to expedite the construction of the bridge with high quality and standard. He said plans are also at an advanced stage to construction similar bridges across the country including the Sumbuya Bridge.
“My biggest joy today is to come and turn sod for the construction of the Mattru Senehun Bridge. Paopa Salon for better”, he said.
Minister of Agriculture Abubakarr Karim, edified that the event was for President Bio to turn sod for the construction of a major bridge linking Mattru Jong to Senehun village. He added that the project would help to link villages and towns in terms of transporting food productivity.
The Agriculture Minister also intimated that similar interventions in order to promote agricultural activities are ongoing in other parts of the country.
The Project Coordinator Sulaiman Sesay said the construction of the bridge is very important. He added that the Ministry of Agriculture is keen in supporting projects geared towards connecting feeder roads. He said that was not the very first agricultural related Projects President Bio’s administration had supported. He disclosed that President Bio solicited support from the work Bank for the construction of the Mattru Jong-Senehun Bridge. He assured that government had done competitive bidding and that the bridge is meant to be commissioned in fifteen months. He also assured that the interest of the people in Mattru and Senehun, would be protected as compensation would be provided to any individual whose daily worked would be obstructed as a result of the bridge construction.
