By Yusufu Sesay
As Sierra Leone’s Parliament debates the national budget for the fiscal year 2025, Hon. Ernest Dura Koroma, representing Kambia District from Tonko Limba Chiefdom, has emerged as a vocal advocate for the urgent construction of the long-neglected Tonko Limba road.
With a heartfelt appeal rooted in facts, empathy, and forward-thinking, Hon. Ernest Dura Koroma called on his colleagues to prioritize the road’s construction, a promise made by President Julius Maada Bio during the 2023 election campaign.
In a session marked by intense debate and competing priorities, Hon. Ernest Dura Koroma stood firm, delivering his message with passion and conviction. He began by describing the challenging realities faced by the people of Tonko Limba, where farmers, traders, students and healthcare workers are severely impacted by the impassable road conditions.
The Tonko Limba road, which connects Kambia Town to several remote villages, has deteriorated into a hazardous, near-impassable stretch, particularly during the rainy season. Hon. Ernest Dura Koroma pointed out that the road has become a “death trap,” making life-threatening conditions the norm for those who rely on it.
“During the heavy downpours, deep potholes and eroded sections of the road become invisible, trapping vehicles and forcing drivers into dangerous decisions. Motorbike riders, the primary mode of transport in the area, risk their lives daily as they navigate slippery and unstable surfaces,” Hon. Ernest Dura Koroma explained.
He went on to emphasize the need for immediate intervention by the Government, specifically through the Ministry of Works and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), to restore safety and ensure mobility on the Tonko Limba road. Hon. Ernest Dura Koroma has engaged with the Works Committee in Parliament, stressing the importance of making the road’s repair and construction a top priority for Government intervention, especially following the rainy season.
Hon. Ernest Dura Koroma’s call for action underscores the urgent need for infrastructural development in rural Sierra Leone, where poor road conditions continue to stifle economic growth and exacerbate daily hardships.
