Residents of Babadorie at Lumley in the West end of Freetown have realised the role of the community in developing the country through self help initiatives by contributing seven million leones (Le 7m) for the construction of a community bridge that has been hampering the free movement of people and motorists within the area for the past few months.
Florella Hazely an outstanding community member and also a brain behind the community self help project said “we the community people are prepared to contribute in our own little way to the development of the Babadorie community by tasking residents or making voluntary contributions”.
She noted that residents of the community are the direct beneficiaries of the project and that the Government will not be able to respond to all the needs of the people. It is in that vain that residents decided to contribute for the construction of the bridge to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Chairman of the Babadorie Residents Alieu Deen expressed gratitude to residents for their contributions towards the project and implored others to emulate the good example. “This bridge is the only entrance and exit to this community and it was in a deplorable state so as community members we decided to intervene.”
Chairman Alieu also catalogued some of the challenges affecting the community which include the deplorable road conditions and the scarcity of water in taps as a result of damages done on the Guma Valley Pipes that runs the water in to homes.
He appealed to Government, humanitarian organisations and the community members to help.
The Project Officer for the bridge construction Dan Lewis said they have already demolished the bridge and transported rocks and sand to the project site with funds generated from the community, adding that the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) was also contacted for their advice and contribution towards the project.
“We are expecting SLRA to contribute morally and financially for the completion of the project because the initial estimate for the project is fifteen million leones (Le15m) and it is also hoped that if all the materials are available the project will be completed at the end of March this year.”
Hon. Salaymatu Turay representing the Constituency in Parliament said she is in full support of the project, she also promised to facilitate the implementation of developmental projects within the constituency and appealed to other communities to also embark on self help projects
Milton Coker one of the youths within the Babadorie community representing the Karma Kin Family social club said youths in the community were also very instrumental in transporting the sand and rocks to the project site and will participate fully in the implementation of the project.
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