By Desmond Lewis
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Drivers and residents in Freetown are growing increasingly frustrated over the poor condition of key roads—particularly Benjamin Lane and Edward Lane, vital routes linking Dwarzak Junction to the Central Business District (CBD).
Many users of the roads expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s apparent delay in addressing the issue. Mohamed, a local Keke rider, described how commercial vehicles were redirected from Pademba Road by police, forcing them onto more damaged routes.
“We are treated like foreigners. The diversion caused serious damage to our vehicles,” he lamented.
SLRA Director General, Engineer Alfred J. Momodu, addressed the growing concerns, stating that repairs to damaged roads, including those in Freetown, would commence after the rainy season.
“Our construction materials are not rain friendly. We’ve done emergency repairs on Bai Bureh Road, which will be reopened soon. Next, we will focus on Blackhall Road,” he said.
He noted that many of Freetown’s roads—such as Circular Road, AJ Momoh Street, Kissy Road, and Fourah Bay Road—have exceeded their lifespan and require extensive rehabilitation.
“SLRA is a national institution. Road maintenance is very costly, with a single kilometer sometimes costing up to a million dollars.”
Momodu added that although patching efforts had been made on Benjamin Lane, heavy rains and traffic had quickly deteriorated the repairs. On a brighter note, he reported that the Kabala–Falaba road, which once took commuters up to six hours to travel, now takes just one hour following upgrades.
SLRA also highlighted ongoing road infrastructure projects across the country, including:
– The Kailahun–Koindu–Guinea–Liberia border roads
– Tomparie–Kamakwe Road
– Restoration of the Masiaka–Bo highway, complete with pothole repairs and a new bypass route
– Mathehun Bridge currently undergoing refurbishment
– Replacement of broken concrete slabs on heavily trafficked roads in Freetown
Engineer Momodu reiterated that SLRA remains committed to improving Sierra Leone’s Road network despite financial and logistical challenges.