Residents of Tonko Limba Chiefdom and surrounding communities in Kambia District are calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to take urgent action to address the prolonged delay in the construction of the Kambia–Tonko Limba Road.
The road serves as a critical link between Kambia District, the Guinea border and several communities, including Kukuna and Kamakwie, while providing access to numerous villages and important administrative and commercial centres. For residents, the road is not merely a means of transportation but a vital connection to economic opportunities, essential services and neighbouring communities.
The poor condition of the road has created significant difficulties for residents, particularly farmers who depend on it to transport agricultural produce from their farms to major markets, including Freetown and other parts of the country. During the rainy season, the situation becomes even more challenging, with some sections reportedly becoming difficult or nearly impossible for vehicles to navigate.
The road is widely regarded as having the potential to contribute significantly to economic growth in Kambia District and neighbouring chiefdoms if properly constructed and maintained. Improved road connectivity would facilitate the movement of agricultural products, reduce transportation costs, encourage trade and strengthen economic activities across the region.
The urgency of the matter is further heightened by the financing approval already granted for the project.
On 14 October 2024, the Board of Executive Directors of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) approved more than US$72 million in financing for the Kambia–Tonko Limba Road Construction Project in Sierra Leone. The approval was welcomed as a major development that could transform transportation and improve the livelihoods of thousands of residents in the area.
However, nearly two years after the financing approval, residents continue to raise concerns over the apparent delay in the implementation of the project.
Residents of Tonko Limba are therefore demanding clear answers from the Government and relevant authorities regarding the status of the project. They want to know what has caused the delay, when actual construction is expected to commence, and what measures are being taken to ensure that the project is implemented as planned.
For communities that have endured years of poor road conditions, the Kambia–Tonko Limba Road is more than an infrastructure project. It represents a pathway to improved trade, agriculture, mobility and economic development.
Residents are therefore urging the Government to treat the project as a matter of urgency and provide the public with a clear timeline for its implementation.
