By Alpha Abu
The Minister of Works and Public Assets, Peter Bayuku Conteh has put at 200 Kilometres the asphalt roads constructed for the year 2021. The minister made the disclosure whilst highlighting the ministry’s achievements so far, its challenges and plans, during the retreat for media and civil society organisations that took place in Bo over the weekend.
The minister said newly completed asphalt roads could increase by the end of this year. He said rehabilitation of roads in the Western Area, Kenema, Kono is on-going with a total of 12% of the roads already completed. The minister noted that construction of a bridge over the Sewa, Wanjei and Moa rivers in the Pujehun district has also been completed.
He said people cannot do without roads but acknowledged the huge costs involved to construct especially an asphalt road. Bayuku highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the key challenges that has affected the implementation of activities by the works ministry.
He explained about his ministry’s identification of thirteen hand operated Cable Ferry Crossing points in the country that are to be replaced with bridges. Conteh disclosed that the World Bank is already funding feasibility studies on seven of those crossing points and could possibly provide funding for construction of four bridges. The EU is sponsoring feasibility work on six of the crossing points and has indicated willingness to fund construction of four of bridges.
A lot of re-gravelling of trunk roads is also under way in different parts of the country, he stated. He also spoke about drainage and pavement works in various parts of the country including the Bo –Bandajuma road project as well as the Pendembu-Kailahun road. He said a good number of roads under construction in especially the Western Area will be completed in 2022.
He said in 2021 the government ratified the Dakar-Abidjan Treaty which encourages countries in the sub-region to embark on the construction of six lane highways. Cabinet has also approved the reviewed Professional Engineering Act that now awaits ratification, he explained to the gathering of journalists and civil society activists. On the construction of roads across the country, Conteh admitted that the ministry is faced with difficulties such as encroachment of the Right of Way which they have been trying to address together with line departments. He mentioned the plans being put in place for the construction of Magistrate Court buildings in Falaba, Karene and Port Loko districts for easy access to justice. The retreat was hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Copyright © Politico Online 01/12/21
