By Mustapha Dumbuya
Residents of the Leicester Road community in Freetown are enduring severe hardships due to the area’s deteriorating road network and lack of basic social amenities
As one of Freetown’s most densely populated areas, Leicester Road had over 18,000 registered voters during the 2018 general elections. Despite numerous pleas from residents, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has yet to address the poor road conditions along routes like Berry Street to Tree Planting, with residents describing the situation as “terrible.”
Community stakeholders report that the damaged roads have negatively impacted the local economy and quality of life, especially during the rainy season. The SLRA has been aware of the community’s challenges for over a decade, yet significant action has not been taken, allegedly due to the involvement of corrupt authorities.
Frustrated residents are disappointed with local politicians from both the SLPP and APC, accusing them of neglecting the economic potential and social importance of proper roads in the area. Community elders note that economic activities have slowed, with living conditions deteriorating daily. Commercial bike riders, delivery vans, and tricycles, they say, often exploit the poor road conditions, adding financial strain to the community.
Alusine Foday Dumbuya, the community’s interim chairman, shared that residents were forced to fund small repairs themselves due to a lack of external support. He added that the poor roads leave the community vulnerable to crime, as police and Community Safety Volunteers (CSVs) are hesitant to patrol the most inaccessible areas.
“The community is lacking of basic social amenities such as Hospital, community centre, police post and safe drinking water”, he explained.
The state of the roads also affects critical services such as education, health, and safety. Deep potholes and poor drainage add to the area’s difficulties, and residents are appealing to the government and NGOs to help with road grading and drainage maintenance.
Resident Osman Kabba explained that a Chinese company began constructing the road but abandoned the project nearly two years ago. He added that a completed road would have reduced transportation costs for residents significantly. “I’m spending almost Nle30 a day just on a bike ride from Model Junction to my house,” Kabba lamented.
The community continues to urge immediate intervention to ease the challenges caused by the road conditions, including basic social amenities, hoping for a response that will improve safety, economic viability, and overall quality of life.
