By Paul Lamin in Kenema
Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA ) and First- T Road construction company are stepping up efforts to fast track the construction of the Main Blama and Hangha road projects launched some three(3) years ago.
It could be recalled that the Blama-Hangha road construction project stared in 2015 after a long hue and cry from Civil Society Groups, Parliamentarians and members of the general public, the media who were concerned about the condition of the township roads in the city of Kenema
Even though, the road works have taken quite a length of time, construction works were at a snail pace until recently when we witnessed a change of administration which suddenly saw a massive resumption of works on the project .
The District Engineer, SLRA Wilfred Munie told this medium over telephone interview that, the road works were challenged by the unavailability of funds. He stated that they had to negotiate for additional loans from the ECOBANK in order to speed up the works
Mr. Wilfred Nunie further told this medium that, if adequate funding is attracted works will be completed in the next couple of months.
Some critics of governments are saying that the Bio led new direction has mandated the First –T Construction Company to complete the works in three months or may face possible punitive measure or forfeit the entire construction project to another company.
In a similar development, the Kenema township road works on major streets came to an abrupt end even before the elections. Three (3) streets in the city including Show Avenue, Demby Street and Wesley street were awarded to different contractors to be completed in three months but up to date works are still at their preliminary stages with a lot of pot holes serving as breeding places for mosquitoes.
The then Mayor, JS Keifala, had promised that the three streets would be completed under his tenure. One of the contractors told this medium that, the lack of funding is a major challenge for the works.
However, unconfirmed sources from State House have intimated this press that the President, Dr.Julius Maada Bio has instructed that all contractors to continue with their projects until proven otherwise.