By Foday Moriba Conteh
During the Parliamentary debate on the 2024 budget, the All People’s Congress Party’s Honorable Member of Parliament for Karene District, Hon. Mohamed S. Kargbo, fervently called on the Government to prioritize the resumption of construction of the Makeni-Kamakwie-Madidawula Road describing the road as very crucial for the nation’s development which therefore must warrant the appropriate authorities to allocate resources for its completion.
Hon. Mohamed S. Kargbo emphasized the road’s current deplorable state making reference to the rapt attention it garnered during the tenure of former President Ernest Bai Koroma. It must be noted that the fifty-five miles Makeni-Kamakwie-Madidawula Road construction, which was initiated during the tenure of the All-People’s Congress Party in State Governance, had been fully funded by the Sierra Leonean Government.
Expressing concern, Mohamed S. Kargbo noted that after the 2018 elections and the formation of the SLPP led Government under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the construction abruptly halted. He mentioned the withdrawal of machinery and equipment from the site, redirecting them to other areas which are deemed to be of higher priority by the new administration.
The Parliamentarian stressed the strategic importance of the road, particularly in connecting Sierra Leone and fostering regional cooperation, especially with Mali. He underlined its potential to facilitate import and export activities, providing Mali with a closer and more convenient route through Sierra Leone, which, in turn, would contribute significantly to the country’s development.
Moreover, Mohamed S. Kargbo outlined the expected benefits of completing the Makeni-Kamakwie-Madidawula Road, envisioning it as a vital link that could enhance collaboration between Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries.
Despite the road construction initiative commencing during the APC regime under former President Ernest Bai Koroma, Hon. Ahmed Kargbo expressed disappointment that the project faced discontinuation after the 2018 elections. He emphasized that the completion of the road is crucial for the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone, that will bring relief to travelers, boost agriculture and commerce in the Bombali district, and foster connectivity among important districts.
Many citizens are questioning the discontinuation of road projects, particularly those in the northern region, considered to be the APC stronghold. The advocacy by Mohamed S. Kargbo underscores the belief in the continuity of Government projects for national development, irrespective of political boundaries.
