By: Mamajah Jalloh
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA), has inspected a delayed market infrastructure project in Wai Village, Pujehun District, to assess progress and identify outstanding works preventing its completion.
The inspection, conducted on Friday, October 16, 2026, was part of the ECOWAS Regional Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme (ERCBCSP). The team assessed implementation challenges, construction quality and the measures needed to complete the facility and hand it over to the beneficiary community.
The delegation was led by Laygbay Lilian Amadu, Deputy Secretary and ECOWAS Desk Officer at MoPED. It included representatives from the Ministry of Works, MLGCA, the project contractor and the local community.
During the inspection, Amadu expressed concern over the prolonged delay, noting that the project was originally expected to be completed within eight months. She stressed the need to address the outstanding issues to facilitate the timely completion and handover of the market.
Discussions revealed disagreements over the project’s Bill of Quantities (BoQ), contractual documents and the scope of work. Ken Massaquoi, Manager of S. Brothers, the contracting company, raised concerns about discrepancies between different versions of the BoQ. He explained that some facilities expected by stakeholders were not adequately reflected in the documents available to the contractor.
The discussions highlighted the need to establish the authoritative version of the signed BoQ and reconcile the approved project scope with the work already completed and the remaining obligations. Stakeholders also emphasised that any variations or additional works must be properly documented and authorized to ensure accountability and compliance with the agreed specifications.
Among the outstanding facilities identified were market tables, a water well, wheelchair-accessible ramps for the market and toilet facilities, sanitation infrastructure, drainage systems, parking space and storage facilities. Participants discussed whether these items were covered by the original contract and what steps would be required to address any gaps.
The inspection team also raised concerns about construction quality and the suitability of certain facilities for their intended purposes. The team stressed the need for technical verification and closer coordination among the responsible institutions and the contractor to resolve the outstanding issues.
Community representatives expressed disappointment over the delay, noting that the project had raised expectations among residents. Wai Village Section Chief, Chief Momodu Kawa, highlighted concerns about the prolonged implementation period and uncertainty over when the market would be completed.
The project is intended to support local economic activities by providing a market facility for the community. However, the outstanding works and unresolved contractual issues continue to affect its completion and handover.
At the end of the inspection, stakeholders agreed to hold a follow-up meeting with the Development Secretary on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The meeting is expected to review discrepancies in the project documentation, clarify outstanding contractual obligations and agree on measures to accelerate completion.
Those present included Ing. Lawrence D. Gbaya of the Ministry of Works; Hilda B. Paul, Deputy Secretary at MLGCA; Ken Massaquoi, Manager of S. Brothers; Hussein M. Feika, a committee member of Wai Village; and Chief Momodu Kawa. Staff from the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, other MoPED officials and community representatives also attended.
The inspection forms part of MoPED’s efforts to strengthen development coordination, project monitoring and accountability, ensuring that development investments are completed effectively and deliver their intended benefits to communities.