By Nasratu Kargbo
Members of Parliament have raised concern over the deplorable state of the road leading to President Julius Maada Bio’s home district of Bonthe, amongst the many other bad roads in the country that they say needed to be fixed.
The Deputy Leader 2 of the Opposition,Aaron A. Koroma on the 16th November 2023 in his debate on presidential nominees said “I want to draw the attention of SLRA to the situation of the road leading to the President’s home, that road had started since 2018 when the President commissioned that road, since that time to date, not up to 12% has been completed on that road. That road is an eyesore”.
He stressed that the road should be given utmost importance, explaining that it will not only benefit the president but Sierra Leoneans in general. The MP further stated that the area is a touristic site with a mining company in the area as well.
Addressing the proposed Director General of Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) Alfred Momodu, the MP drew his attention to what he said are economic roads such as the Matotoka to Bo and Magburka to Bumbuna .
He said if he wants to travel to Kono he does not need to go through Makeni to do so, explaining that if the Mile 91 road is connected he could simply use it. He stressed that some of these roads connects the South and North of the country.
Representing Bo District Kekura Vandy said SLRA and Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) should work together in order to get roads done, adding that the ministry of finance should capacitate SLRA.
Opposition Whip Abdul Karim Kamara said roads leading to home towns of people of high status in the country are bad, citing those of the President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament amongst others.
The MP further stated that the road leading to the Speaker’s house in Freetown is very bad, same as the one leading to his home town and the one from Model school to parliament. “I pity the Speaker”, he said.
He said roads are very essential and play a crucial role in the growth of other sectors, he mention that roads can contribute in helping the President achieve his feed “Salone agenda”. The MP explained that one of the areas where the President has allotted to undertake major rice production is in the Kambia District where he said the road needed to be fixed to ensure easy access.
The MP noted that resumes’ of nominees have never been a concern, the problem is with performance.
The Deputy Leader of Government Business Bashiru Silikie said they should appeal to the Ministry of Finance to make funds available for the execution of these projects, emphasizing that without the money SLRA cannot undertake any project.
He responded to comments of equally distributing state resources for development across the country, explaining that in the past, resources were not evenly distributed.
Parliament on the 16th approved six nominees including Alfred J. Momodu as Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Dr. Ibrahim Stevens as Central Bank Governor, and Alhaji Mustapha Turay-Chairman Board of Directors at National Minerals Agency.
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