The Sierra Leone Road Authority (SLRA) has intensified their road construction work in the Kenema district.
The Acting Director of Feeder roads in the SLRA, Mark Andrew Jusu has handed feeder road construction project in the Kenema district to contractors at a ceremony held in Combema in the Nongowa chiefdom and Lopa in the Dama chiefdom.
Speaking at the official handing over ceremony of the project to the Biscostin Construction Company and NIMO Construction Company at their respective work sites, Mr. Jusu said the project was conceived by SLRA in April 2003 adding that since then they have been on the development stage.
He disclosed that the project involves the rehabilitation of 650 kilo meters feeder road in four districts in the country namely Kenema, Portloko, Pujehun and Kambia districts.
Mr. Jusu disclosed that Kenema district is benefiting from 185 kilometers and that two contractors will carry out the work in the district.
The Bicostin construction company is responsible for Gbogboma junction, Panguma and Dodo road, Ngegbema, Kuawoma junction, Gofor, Lopa, Buama and Bendumei to Jui while the NIMO construction company is to rehabilitate the Combema, Kenema, Vaahun, Bendu junction road, Goma and Boajibu among others.
The Acting Director of Feeder road told the contractors that the European Union (EU) is funding the project and that Viana has been hired as the consultant for the two projects. Mr. Jusu called on the contractors to work in the interest of the nation as the contracts are for 18 months commencing from 31st September this year to 28 April 2010.
Councilor Mariatu Kamara of the Kenema District Council described the handing over ceremony of the road as historic and promised the council’s fullest support and cooperation for the project for an effective and speedy conclusion of the projects in the district.
The Member of Parliament Hon. Lansana Kemokai thanked the government, SLRA and the EU for their timely intervention to rehabilitate the roads, which he described as one of the major problems affecting his constituency.
He pledged the fullest support of the people in the constituency saying that it is their felt need.
In his contribution an engineer of the Biscostic construction company Anthony Kuami revealed that they have several road works in the country and have committed themselves for the job in the interest of the nation.
The EU representative Michael Sondi in his remarks reiterated that the project has been in the pipe line for a very long time and appealed to the contractors to make the logistics available to the consultant.
The administrative and logistic officer of NIMO construction company Arthur Karista promised on behalf of his company that with the support from the community people they will ensure a good work and on time in the interest of the country.
The Regional Engineer SLRA east Walter Nicol in his closing remarks said he will monitor the projects unto conclusion and therefore called on the contractors to do their best and leave within the stipulated time.
ADVERTISEMENT