“We are quite aware that we are a developing country, and we need donors to support us. But one of the features of a serious government is to take control of its own road works. We would always support local contractors in the road sector as long as they are credible and ready to do better work,” he noted.
He told the residents and beneficiaries of the Atlantic Bridge that the government is very transparent that was why the amount used to construct the bridge was made public.
He warned people to desist from constructing make-shift structures (pan body) along the Lumley-Tokeh Road as well as the newly constructed Atlantic Beach Road-Juba Junction.
“Constructing make-shift structures along the above routes has implications. Firstly, they would be used as a hideout for criminals and secondly as an eyesore to the citizens as well as foreigners,” he noted.
He said they have no reason to fail in the road sector because there are better heads who would do everything to succeed.
Director General of Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Engineer Amara Kanneh, said the construction of the Atlantic Beach Road-Juba Junction, was commissioned one year ago.
“We are not here to commission the Atlantic Bridge but we are here to tentatively open it to the public in order to enhance access. This would similarly enhance the free-flow of vehicular movement. We would have to install solar lights here so as to beautify the city and to ensure the security of commuters,” he said.
He said the bridge is a testament of what local contractors are capable of doing, adding that the consultants and contractors of the Atlantic Beach Road-Juba Junction, were Sierra Leoneans.
He thanked the Minister of Works for providing an immense and important leadership role during the construction of the bridge.
Sean Papah Chendeka, Chief Executive Officer, SECON (SL) Limited, an indigenously owned construction company that did the Atlantic Beach Road-Juba Junction, said it was not easy to construct a road along that axis of the city but with support from engineers at SLRA, they were able to do it perfectly.
He called on the government to empower indigenous construction companies so that the money that is spent on those companies to work, would stay in Sierra Leone.
“Sierra Leoneans are capable to do a Sierra Leonean taxpayers’ job. We would always do it better for our country. I’m so grateful to the government awarding SECON (SL) Limited this contract and we have done it satisfactorily,” he said.
Resident Member of Parliament, Ibrahim ‘Tawa’ Conteh of Constituency 132, Sierra Leone has a ‘Talk and Do’ President, who wants to positively transform the lives of the people.
“We would see more quality infrastructural development under this government,” he said.
He thanked the contractors, who were also very committed to ensuring that the project, is completed within the stipulated date.
