Kamakwie Community Urges Immediate Action on Abandoned SLRA Bypass Construction

Residents of Kamakwie are raising urgent concerns as the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) appears to have abandoned the construction of a promised temporary bypass. For the past two weeks, there has been no visible activity at the construction site, and no progress has been made in backfilling the area since the initial placement of containers.

This situation has led to severe disruptions in the community, affecting transportation and the supply of essential goods. Trucks, including vital fuel tankers, are unable to access Kamakwie town. The current makeshift bypass, only suitable for lightweight vehicles, has become increasingly dangerous. Drivers from Freetown and Makeni are now refusing to use it, resulting in a significant spike in food and commodity prices due to the disrupted supply chain. Fuel supplies to Kamakwie and Tambaka have also been completely halted.

Local residents are pleading with the government to urgently finance the SLRA, enabling them to expedite the backfilling of the temporary container bridge. They believe that completing this project will alleviate the ongoing hardships and curb the escalating inflation of food prices.

Community members have voiced their frustrations, stating that the abandoned construction has led to economic hardship and increased safety risks. The lack of proper infrastructure has not only affected the flow of goods and services but also heightened the risk of accidents on the unsafe makeshift bypass.

“The current bypass we are using now for lightweight vehicles has become dangerous,” said a concerned resident. “Drivers from Freetown and Makeni have rejected it, which has led to a serious increase in the price of foodstuffs and other commodities. There is no fuel supply to Kamakwie and Tambaka currently.”

The photos included with their plea vividly depict the road blockages to Kamakwie, highlighting the cessation of vehicle traffic and the resulting economic strain. The community is urging the government to prioritize this issue and provide the necessary funding to the SLRA to complete the bypass construction promptly.

“We are pleading with the government to please help us and finance the SLRA so they can speedily backfill the temporary container bridge to relieve us from this suffering and food price inflation,” another resident emphasized.

The community’s call for action underscores the critical need for infrastructure development and maintenance to ensure the smooth functioning of daily life and economic stability. They hope that by drawing attention to their plight, the government will take swift and decisive action to address the situation, restore access, and bring relief to the people of Kamakwie and surrounding areas.