By: James Kamara-Manneh
Senior members from China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) in a meeting with press men has clearly indicated that in as much as they are directly charged with the responsibility of maintaining the tollgate, it must be seen by the general public as a collective responsibility when it comes to the overall maintenance of the tollgate.
The issue regarding maintenance of Hasting- Masaika tollgate has been misreported by some bias and seemingly Sino phobic local publications there by falsely accusing the company of breaching its contractual agreement and reneging on maintenance of the toll road (the Wellington –Masiaka Highway).
The local tabloids incorrectly published that the paints are not properly kept and one of the toll poles which was severely dented are yet to be repaired, the surrounding houses hosting the toll agents from Hastings to the Masiaka tollgates are unkempt, due to the appalling work on the drainages and that when it rains heavily the road gets flooded with debris washed away from the hills.
All the above assertions are untrue as they are meant to smear the hard earned reputation of the CRSG Company.
In response to the false assertions, one of the architect behind the establishment of the first ever tollgate in the country and former director general of Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Mr. Munda Rogers said CRSG has continued in giving their unwavering support to the government since they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The expert engineer said the company has been in compliance with all agreement, and all taxes to government are fully paid in time.
He praised the CRSG for their uninterrupted and professional contributions to Sierra Leonean populace.
Mr. Rogers hailed the CRSG as the only Chinese company having Sierra Leoneans at their top management level, which indicates their collaborative commitment to work in favor of Sierra Leoneans.
Mr. Rogers stated that the establishment of the tollgate has contributed to the reduction of unemployment amongst young professional and non-professional Sierra Leoneans. He frowns at the way and manner in which some people abandoned their vehicles along the highway which according to him is undone and can cause abstractions that can lead to accidents.
“If the allegations were indeed true it would have been the Government, through the Sierra Leone Road Authority (SLRA) and the Ministry of Works that would have been the first to rise up the issue,” Rogers said.
He disclosed how it was him who initiated the toll road project stressing that Government was not having the money at that time and even now to fund the construction of the road.
“Since the road came into use there has not been any major fatal accident which is an indication that the company is really adhering to the provisions of the contractual agreement,” he maintained.
He added that although global events and the increase in foreign exchange of the Leone are placing pressures on the company yet the company is adhering to what it is supposed to do.
He said with its standardized and modern operation management model, the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG), continues to provide high-quality services for highway users and is effectively promoting economic development along the road.
Whereas, in highlighting some challenges facing the company, the General Administrative Manager, Alhaji Kamara said there is no single day that passes where in vehicles are not causing damage to the tollgate.
The Administrative manager affirmed that if a driver destroys any part of the said property that individual should repair it immediately or allow the law to take its course.
Mr. Kamara however noted that such incidents seldom takes place because when damages are caused the driver will drove off before they visit the scene.
He also states that when accidents do occur they will not dare to question driver, noting further that they will just give support in rescuing the injured passengers.
He said on a daily basis he will caution drivers to drive carefully and not to damage Sierra Leone`s property, as it is the responsibility of everyone to maintain the four-lane road.
Mr Kamara intimated that in the near future there are plans to tackle or track down those damaging the road. He calls for additional support from the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Traffic Warden, and Police etc., to help enforce some of the traffic laws.
On the issue of paint on the road, Mr Kamara said on a daily basis people are scratching off the paint with their cars and you cannot act especially when they are in possession of their licenses.
He said the CRSG is a responsible company that ensures vehicles plying on the road must be free from traffic.
“There is no time you will come to the toll gate and you are told light is off, or computers are down and there is always a free flow in maintaining our part of the MOU and in doing our best”, Kamara reveals.
He disclosed how the CRSG is organizing a monthly cleaning exercise which allows top management to particulars in ensuring things are properly done and the tollgate is maintenanced.
He said another challenge is to get rid of all vehicles parked along the Waterloo-Masaika highway because it is becoming very challenging. He called on the public to cooperate with them as this is affecting the flow of traffic.
Kamara made it clear that they are calling for support from the public to build a better Sierra Leone and CRSG is not doing disservice to the nation.
“The aim and objectives of the CRSG cannot be accomplished alone”, he pointed out.
Therefore, the allegations made against the company may seemingly appear alarming but thorough investigation proves that they are not only over exaggerated but hollow and far from the truth as many, whose views this medium sought to shed light on the issue have attested.
