{"id":3474,"date":"2026-10-07T11:52:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daybreaknewspapersl.com\/?p=3474"},"modified":"2026-10-07T11:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:52:14","slug":"to-upgrade-magburaka-bumbuna-sambaia-bendugu-road-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daybreaknewspapersl.com\/?p=3474","title":{"rendered":"To Upgrade Magburaka-Bumbuna-Sambaia Bendugu Road Project\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SLRA, LRMG Partner<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has concluded a pre-bid meeting and site visit for the proposed reconstruction of the 97-kilometre Magburaka-Bumbuna-Sambaia Bendugu Road, a strategic infrastructure project expected to improve connectivity, boost economic growth and enhance access to essential services across Tonkolili District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The engagement, held along the Azzolini Highway in Magburaka, brought together representatives of the Tonkolili District Council, Leone Rock Metal Group, Kingho Mining Company, prospective contractors, the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), civil society organisations and other key stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The exercise formed part of the procurement process, providing prospective bidders with firsthand knowledge of the project corridor and enabling them to assess site conditions before preparing and submitting their bids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Addressing participants, SLRA Director General, Ing. Alfred Jalil Momodu said the visit was intended to allow contractors to examine the road alignment, terrain, pavement conditions, drainage systems, watercourses and other factors likely to influence construction methods, project costs and implementation risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He underscored the vital role of road infrastructure in national development, noting that despite growing demand for road networks, financial resources for road construction and maintenance continue to be constrained globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Meaningful national development cannot be achieved without adequate road infrastructure,” Ing. Momodu stated. He explained that improved roads facilitate economic growth, expand access to markets, strengthen healthcare and educational services and promote social integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Director General highlighted the Government of Sierra Leone’s efforts to address infrastructure financing challenges through innovative funding mechanisms, including public-private partnerships. He cited the collaboration involving the Government of Sierra Leone, Kingho Mining Company (SL) Limited and other mining companies, implemented in line with directives from the Ministry of Finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to him, the financing arrangement for the Magburaka-Bumbuna-Sambaia Bendugu Road Project will ensure the efficient use of available resources while delivering long-term benefits to communities along the corridor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ing. Momodu assured stakeholders that SLRA would enforce all engineering, environmental and quality standards throughout the implementation period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further emphasised that the pre-bid site visit forms a critical component of a transparent and competitive procurement process, enabling contractors to assess prevailing site conditions, identify technical challenges and submit realistic and responsive bids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Authority remains committed to transparency, accountability and fairness. The most responsive and compliant bidder will be awarded the contract,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Director General also disclosed that several critical sections of the road have already been identified as priority intervention areas and assured stakeholders that SLRA would closely monitor progress to prevent unnecessary delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representing the Ministry of Finance, Joseph Fatoma, Senior Economist and Public Finance Expert, described the project as a model for sustainable infrastructure financing in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that significant progress has already been made in preparing the documentation required for implementation and said the public-private financing arrangement has generated considerable national interest, with several institutions exploring similar partnership models for future development projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Mr. Fatoma, the Government is determined to ensure the timely delivery of the project, whose success could serve as a benchmark for future infrastructure investments across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chairperson of the Tonkolili District Council, Madam Yabom Sesay, described the paving of the road as a long-awaited dream for the district and pledged the Council’s full support throughout implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noted that local authorities had spent more than 14 years engaging various mining companies to support construction of the road but had achieved limited success. She commended the Government and its partners for transforming the vision into reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madam Sesay highlighted the road’s importance to education, healthcare, commerce and social development, particularly its potential to improve access for students and communities currently affected by poor road conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This is a project that will define our district’s development journey, and we will ensure it is delivered to the highest standards,” she stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on behalf of Leone Rock Metal Group, Community Affairs Manager Alusine Abulia Sesay reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting national development through strategic infrastructure investments. He also introduced two Kingho subcontractors, *China Railway First Group* and China Railway No. 10 Group, who participated in the exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said Leone Rock’s involvement demonstrates its dedication to improving infrastructure and livelihoods within its operational communities, adding that Tonkolili District has benefited significantly from the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Sesay further noted that Leone Rock and Kingho Mining Company are setting a positive example for private-sector participation in development and expressed confidence that the road project could be completed within the stipulated 24-month timeframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Coordinator Dr. Ing. Phodie Musa Kamara, Deputy Director of Trunk Roads, assured stakeholders that the road would be constructed to ensure durability, safety and environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated that upon completion, the project will significantly reduce travel time, lower vehicle operating costs and improve access to markets, public services, educational institutions and economic opportunities for communities across the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the successful delivery of the project will depend on sound engineering practices, adequate contractor mobilization, effective project management, stakeholder coordination and an unwavering commitment to quality, safety and timely completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representatives of the NPPA reminded prospective bidders that all submissions must meet procurement requirements, including technical competence, financial capacity, climate resilience considerations and adequate capital resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Authority stressed that strict compliance with procurement regulations would play a decisive role in the evaluation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil society representative Charles Mambu welcomed the project, describing it as a historic intervention that addresses one of Tonkolili District’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While commending the Government for initiating the project, he also called for future attention to the Mile 91 road corridor. He praised the financing model, noting that inadequate funding is often responsible for delays in major infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Mambu announced that civil society organisations would actively monitor implementation to ensure transparency, quality delivery and value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Magburaka-Bumbuna-Sambaia Bendugu Road Project is expected to serve as a major catalyst for economic growth and regional integration, while strengthening transportation links between mining, agricultural and commercial communities within Tonkolili District and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SLRA, LRMG Partner The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has concluded a pre-bid meeting and site visit for the proposed reconstruction of the 97-kilometre Magburaka-Bumbuna-Sambaia Bendugu Road, a strategic infrastructure project expected to improve connectivity, boost economic growth and enhance access to essential services across Tonkolili District. The engagement, held along the Azzolini Highway in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t