World Bank-funded Sierra Leone Connectivity and Agricultural Market Infrastructure Project (SL-CAMIP).
The contracts were signed on Friday, 16 October 2026, by the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Colonel (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay, Esq., with two construction companies tasked with delivering the bridges.
The bridges will be constructed at Komrabai in Tonkolili District, Kabba in Karene District, Sumbuya in Bo District and Moselolo in Moyamba District.
According to the Ministry, the project By: Mohamed J. Bangura
The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has signed contracts for the construction of four climate-resilient bridges across Sierra Leone under the US$74 million aims to replace hand-pulled ferries and dugout canoes with safer, more durable and climate-resilient bridges to improve the movement of people and goods, particularly in rural communities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Ministry’s conference room on the seventh floor of the Youyi Building in Freetown, Minister Turay described the agreement as an important step towards improving transport infrastructure and strengthening connectivity across the country.
He said the bridges would improve access to markets, farms, schools and health facilities while creating opportunities for increased economic activity. He added that the climate-resilient structures would help communities withstand flooding and heavy rainfall.
The Minister confirmed that Matiere and Secon Joint Venture had been selected to execute Lot One, covering the bridges at Komrabai in Tonkolili District and Kabba in Karene District.
China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) was selected for Lot Two, which covers the construction of the bridges at Sumbuya in Bo District and Moselolo in Moyamba District.
Minister Turay stressed that the project’s success would depend on the timely delivery of safe, durable and quality infrastructure. He urged the contractors to complete the works within the agreed timelines and budget while complying with safety, environmental and social standards.
He also called on the contractors to engage beneficiary communities throughout implementation, create local employment opportunities, protect the environment and maintain open communication with stakeholders.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to monitoring progress, ensuring regular reporting and coordinating with relevant institutions to support the successful completion of the project.
The Chairman of Parliament’s Oversight Committee on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Dickson M. Rogers, pledged Parliament’s commitment to monitoring the project throughout its implementation.
He reminded the contractors that the World Bank-funded resources were intended to benefit the people of Sierra Leone and called for transparency, accountability and timely completion of the works.
Rogers also commended the World Bank for supporting efforts to improve connectivity in rural communities and urged government institutions and other stakeholders to work together to ensure successful implementation.
The Ministry’s Senior Permanent Secretary, Edward Kwame Yankson, welcomed stakeholders, particularly the paramount chiefs representing the beneficiary communities.
He encouraged community leaders and residents to take ownership of the project and cooperate with the contractors to prevent unnecessary delays.
Yankson also emphasised the importance of involving local communities in the implementation process by providing employment opportunities and helping to safeguard construction equipment and materials. He said community cooperation would be essential to completing the works on time.
Meanwhile, SL-CAMIP Project Coordinator Hindolo Shiaka explained that the project forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to improve connectivity in both urban and rural areas.
He said SL-CAMIP was established through the integration of two earlier initiatives: the Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP) and the Smallholder Commercialization and Agricultural Development Project (SCADeP).
According to Shiaka, the project has three main components focusing on urban mobility, bridge construction and agricultural market infrastructure.
He explained that the bridge construction component would address transportation challenges in communities where residents rely on hand-pulled ferries and dugout canoes to cross waterways.
Following the signing of the contracts, construction is expected to commence, with progress to be closely monitored to ensure the bridges are delivered within the agreed timeframe.
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority also pledged their support for the project’s implementation.