By Mohamed T Massaquoi
Residents in Pujehun District have confirmed to Politico that First Tricon, which is contracted to construct the 16-kilometer road linking the district and Bo, has abandon the work.
The project was awarded to the company by the government of Sierra Leone since 2014. But work on it has delayed due to unknown reasons.
Mohamed Kallon, a civil society activist working with the Health for All Coalition, accused the company of undermining the national development effort of the district by its attitude to the road works project.
First Tricon had been under pressure from Pujehun residents who questioned from day one the ability of the company to handle the project. They cite their lack of manpower and required equipment to execute it.
Kallon partly blames the government for the situation. And he warned: “The government must bear in mind that one of the ways to ensure a standard civilization in any nation is to provide good road network.”
“One of the most unfortunate aspects about this road work is that none of their equipments, not even a shovel is seen at their work site.”
With their pace of work, there is widespread doubt on the ability of the company to complete the project any time soon.
Meanwhile, motorists, who are among the most affected by the situation, have been leading the campaign to get the government act on the issue.
Ali Kpaka, a commercial motor driver who regularly ply the Pujehun-Bo highway, said it has caused a lot of mechanical damage on their vehicles due to the numerous pot holes on the road. He also decried the high level of dust particles which he said was liable to caused accident.
At the main lorry park of Pujehun, passengers and traders expressed disappointment over the slow pace of operation of First Tricon.
While the traders complain about the effect on their goods lining the dusty high ways, others were concerned about the ill health. They complain of constant headache and lungs diseases, attributed to the dusty condition of the road.
There is currently no representative of First Tricon in Pujehun to comment on the allegations, another indication of that they’d actually abandon the work.
(C) Politico 20/01/16
