By Politico Staff Writer
The Sierra Leone government has announced plans to replace all 13 ferries across the country with bridges.
Finance Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa made the disclosure on Tuesday, according to a news dispatch from the ministry. He was quoted saying that the government would build modern bridges on all 13 bridges linking crossing points across the country.
Saffa, according to the Ministry of Finance, was addressing contractors and other stakeholders in road infrastructure.
The local ferries, which are found at strategic river crossing points in the provinces, have been operating without engines for decades now. They pulled by men who are employed by Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).
Saffa reportedly said that the government had secured funding for seven of the bridges, noting that they will continue seeking funding the remaining ones.
The crossing points earmarked include Senehun in Mattru Jong, Sumbuya in Bo District, Mano in Kailahun, Sanda Magbolontor in Port Loko, Kabba in Kamakwie, and Kambarri in Yeli.
According to Saffa, work is scheduled to commence on the first seven funds have been secured for in March 2021. He disclosed that the arrival of the consultant who won the contract for the project swas delayed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“Now that the airport has opened, we are expecting the consultant in-country,” the Minister said, adding: “This is to emphasize that this government, while we are fighting the Corona Virus, while we are giving safety net to hotel workers, while we are strengthening the health systems, while we are improving spending on electricity by providing electricity at the districts level, we are still allocating huge fund towards road infrastructure.”
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