By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a major stride toward enhancing Sierra Leone’s road infrastructure, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), under the leadership of Director General Ing. Alfred Jalil Momodu, has partnered with Pavi Fort Al-Associates, a leading construction company with over 25 years of expertise. The collaboration aims to repair and upgrade critical roads damaged by recent heavy rains, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to sustainable development.
Renowned for its excellence in quality, health, safety and environmental responsibility, Pavi Fort Al-Associates has consistently delivered top-tier projects. The company’s Chairman and CEO, Alimu Sanu Barrie, emphasized their dedication to timely, high-quality work and alignment with Government standards. This reputation as a reliable partner is evident in Pavi Fort’s execution of transformative infrastructure projects across Sierra Leone.
Among its landmark achievements is the Transport Transit Terminal in Lumley, under the World Bank-funded Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP) that was inaugurated by President Julius Maada Bio on November 27, 2024.The terminal, designed to enhance public transportation, road safety and climate resilience, symbolizes Pavi Fort’s capability to deliver impactful projects.
Pavi Fort’s ongoing and completed projects highlight its unwavering commitment to Sierra Leone’s growth:
- Masiaka-Bo Highway Restoration: Once riddled with dangerous potholes, this highway now offers safer and smoother travel, facilitating trade and mobility.
- Freetown Township Roads: Pavi Fort teams are working tirelessly, even under floodlights, to upgrade urban roads, particularly in Freetown, ensuring efficient connectivity for residents.
- Tikonko-Kpetema-Mattru Jong Road: The advanced construction of this 38.1-kilometer stretch is boosting agricultural produce movement and regional economic activities.
- Modern Lumley Market Center: This state-of-the-art, four-story facility, designed like a mall, features robust structural engineering and amenities, including storage units, a hospital, entertainment spaces, and ample parking. It is currently undergoing construction.
- Traffic Signal Installations: Functional traffic lights at Ferry Junction, Congo Cross and Lumley Roundabout have significantly improved traffic flow and pedestrian safety, underscoring the company’s urban management expertise.
President Bio, during the recent commissioning of the Transport Transit Terminal and Traffic Signal System, lauded the project as part of his administration’s Big Five Game Changer Agenda. He highlighted the terminal’s potential to centralize transportation, reduce congestion and enhance public safety.
President Bio articulated the broader implications of such infrastructure projects, noting their role in improving logistics, reducing travel times and enhancing economic productivity. The $52 million IRUMP initiative, co-funded by the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank, demonstrates the impact of strategic investments in urban mobility.
The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Alhaji Fanday Turay, praised the public-private partnership between the Government and Pavi Fort, emphasizing the importance of local expertise in achieving national development goals.
World Bank Urban Transport Specialist Adams Diehi commended the terminal and traffic signal system as milestones in inclusive development, while Leticia S. Senessie of Metro Transport Company celebrated the Government’s commitment to enabling private sector growth.
Pavi Fort’s contributions, backed by SLRA’s visionary leadership, are transforming Sierra Leone’s infrastructure landscape. These efforts promise a future of better connectivity, improved road safety and greater economic opportunities.
The Government’s call for responsible usage and maintenance of these facilities underscores the shared responsibility in sustaining progress. As President Bio aptly stated, “The success of this infrastructure lies in our hands. Let us take ownership, maintain it responsibly and maximize its benefits for generations to come.”
With Pavi Fort at the helm of these transformative projects, Sierra Leone is firmly on the path to modernization, driving growth and prosperity for its people.
