By Mohamed M. Sesay
In his statement at the opening of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has yesterday informed Members of Parliament that his government has completed the pre-feasibility study of the Lungi
Bridge. He said the cable-stayed design concept has been reviewed to reduce the total cost of the bridge to $1.2 Billion.
President Bio further stated that a developer to finance the bridge construction has also been identified and once ratified by Parliament, the construction of the much anticipated Lungi will commence.
He added that his government has also successfully planned, designed, and negotiated the construction of the New Airport terminal Project at Lungi in the sum of $270 million. He said the project by the Turkish developer, the SUMMA Group, will also construct a new passenger terminal, a new Presidential/VIP terminal, a new parallel taxiway to the existing runway, a new Air Traffic Control Tower, a new Search & Rescue and Fire Fighting facility, and as well as to rehabilitate the existing runway with ultramodern navigational aids.
He described the construction of the new Lungi Air Port as a Build-Operate-Transfer agreement that requires no funding from the Government adding that the project is the single largest investment from the Republic of Turkey to an African country especial during the COVID-19 period.
President Bio said that his government has made significant progress in constructing over 200 kilometres of major township and trunk roads in the Western Area and some parts of the provinces. He referenced the Lumley-Tokeh Road; the Hill Side Bye Pass Road Phase Two; the Moyamba-Moyamba Junction and three bridges; the Bo- Bandajuma Road; the Pendembu-Kailahun Road; the Bo-Tikonko Road; the Wellington-Masiaka Road; the Bandajuma-Mano River Union Bridge; and the Limkokwing University-Regent Road to be among the 200 kilometers.
He further indicated that work is either already in progress or will soon start on additional critical roads in the East end, Central District, and West end of Freetown, Funkia/Goderich, Waterloo,Bo, Kenema, and Bonthe respectively.
President Bio continued that his government will also forward to Parliament a review of the Professional Engineering Registration Council Act 1990 to regulate the practice of engineering. He said when the bill would have been enacted, the law will now ensure that quality standards are met on all infrastructural projects thereby reducing the high public expenditure on works maintenance projects and the safety risks associated with poor quality construction.
He further disclosed that his government is also working with the European Union and the World Bank to replace 13 cable ferry crossings in the country with modern bridges. The President made mention of the collapsed Savage Street Bridge in September 2020 that his Government completed the reconstruction and opened it to traffic use within three months as promised. He also assured that his Government will, in the future, engage much more proactively to prevent recurrence of such crises.