February 12, 2021
By: Joseph Tengbeh Moyamba (Moyamba)
The people of Moyamba district are dissatisfied with the slow pace of road project spanning from Moyamba Junction and elsewhere. In an interview with this medium they appealed to the government, journalists and other civil society groups to closely monitor the ongoing major and minor track roads in their district.
The Moyamba Junction roads and bridges rehabilitation project was considered as the largest infrastructure development project in Sierra Leone over the years. The project was signed to with the government obligated to include other trunk roads within the district- Shenge, Mabang, Kanghun, and Gbangbaya River etc.
It was the expectation that this project will contribute significantly to boosting the socio-economic growth of the country, by creating national and international road networks that are safe, reliable and sustainable.
Other crucial consideration about this project was the need to reduce travel times, accidents and vehicle operating costs between Moyamba and Freetown; improving the road link from Freetown to Conakry and the Northern Province through the construction of the new Magbele Bridge.
Because of the stalling process in rolling out the road project, locals have expressed their views that they are losing hope due to the old and faulty machines the constructors are using. It is their fear that these projects will run into the rains, as there is little progress even in the dry season. The situation is creating serious embarrassment for the locals.
The locals have also vented anger over the destroying of their cash trees by the bulldozers and there was negotiation and arrangement reached for compensation.
The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) district Engineer refused to respond to questions from our Reporter. Many other authorities have also denied their involvement in the project.
In the meantime, the Moyamba people are calling on government to address these concerns to fast track the road work.
In another development, Moyamba Residents in the district are calling on relevant stakeholders to complete the unfinished clock tower at the central part of the town. It is believed that Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally a former Minister of the then regime started constructing it, since then it has been abandoned.
The proposed clock tower will be unique when completed as it is fitted with monuments of past leaders as cultural display.
