𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐁. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐲.
The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has presented cheques and physical cash as compensation to affected persons along the Tikonko/Kpetema Mattru Jong road project funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development and the Government of Sierra Leone.
Presentation of the payment compensation to property owners of economic crops and structures was made over the weekend at three localities including Bumpeh, Kpetema and Serabu, all in the Bo District, Southern Province of Sierra Leone.
In his statement at a ceremony held at the Bumpeh Court Barry, the Acting Project Manager Engineer Patrick James Lavalie thanked Authorities and their subjects for gracing the occasion.
The payment compensation, he said, is government fulfilment towards the project, and roads work in the Country.
This project, according to Engineer Lavalie, will take care of the road and the collapse bridge at Bumpeh.
And with government intervention, HE said the project will be carried out by two separate companies, one for the bridge construction and the other for the road work.
He assured that not too long the locals will see the people implementing the project.
Mr. Charles Mambu from civil society assured beneficiaries of the availability of the fund for payment compensation. He further emphasised President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to national development.
Mr. Joseph Fatoma, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Finance. said this road project is in the heart of the Government and also very key to Tikonko and Mattru Jong.
Other speakers including the Deputy Chairperson of Bo District Council, Alberta Baindu Kowa, Chiefdom authorities and representatives from the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and Audit Service Sierra Leone made statements.
They encouraged beneficiaries to make good use of the money in building new houses, and appealled to all to take care of the contractors and not to cause any problem for the project work.
The total payment compensation made for Lots 1 and 2 to property owners within the corridor of the project is three Billion two hundred Million (3.2) Old Leones.
Engineer Edward J. Tommy chaired the ceremony