Two hundred Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Sierra Leone have called for the immediate removal of one of the three toll gates along the Wellington – Masiaka Highway and the immediate review of the Toll Gate Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Article 22.15.

Presenting a Position Paper to the Chairman and Clerk of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Works and Public Assets on Toll Gate Fares, the CSOs also urged the CRSG to vacate all blockades they have created on and around the three alternative routes.

The presentation came after their last consultative meeting at the Committee Room, where they crisscrossed the sixteen political districts to hold consultations with Ordinary Citizens, and CSOs across.

The Paper was received by Hon. Bashiru Silkie, Deputy Leader of Government Business and Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Works and Public Assets, in his office at the Parliament Building in Tower Hill.

The CSOs called for an immediate independent investigation, an independent engineer, and an auditor’s report on the agreement, emphasising the opposition of citizens and civil society organisations to any fee increases and urging that the existing fees be maintained until a thorough investigation is completed.

Meanwhile, the Parliament of Sierra Leone put on hold the proposed increment on toll gate fees, which was to take effect March 1, 2024, until further notice.

Minister of Works and Public Affairs, Dr. Dennis Sandy earlier tabled in the House of Parliament the Review of the toll fee charges.

Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Chernor Abass Bundu said the review should be put on hold until Parliament has diligently investigated the various concerns and proposals made by the public.