Ing. Alfred Jalil Momodu, Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), has announced a major step forward in the country’s infrastructure development with a new financing agreement to reconstruct the Mabang-Moyamba-Gbangbatoke Junction Road. The 86-kilometre project, expected to start soon, will take two years to complete, followed by a one-year defect liability period.
At the signing ceremony held on September 18, 2024, at the Ministry of Finance, Momodu revealed that a toll system would be implemented to recover the investment costs, with at least two or three toll stations planned along the route. Part of the toll revenue will be used for loan repayments, supplemented by government contributions.
Momodu praised the government’s efforts to boost Sierra Leone’s road network, highlighting partnerships that have supported feasibility studies for a 2,000-kilometre road network aimed at improving district and urban connectivity.
Acting Minister of Finance Kadiatu Allieu expressed her excitement for the agreement, which has garnered praise from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its favourable terms, including low interest rates and extended grace periods. She assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to timely payments, seeing this project as a model to attract further investments.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Ballay, emphasized the alignment of the project with the government’s “Big Five Game Changers” initiative, which focuses on enhancing regional connectivity and supporting key sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.
Minister of Works, Dennis Sandy, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, noting strong cabinet support and the historical importance of this corridor in promoting democracy and connectivity since independence.
Speakers at the event stressed the project’s potential to create jobs and economic opportunities, expressing optimism about transforming the country’s transport infrastructure and improving citizens’ quality of life.
Campoare Rosmamé, CEO of SIETRA, assured stakeholders that the project would be completed on schedule and suggested that this innovative financing model could serve as a blueprint for future developments in Sierra Leone. Both Momodu and Rosmamé underscored their shared commitment to sustainable development through improved infrastructure, essential for driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all Sierra Leoneans.
