Minister of agriculture and Food Security Dr Henry Kphaka

By Emma Black

The Government of Sierra Leone has launched a major infrastructure project designed to strengthen rural transportation and support agricultural growth, the Sierra Leone Connectivity and Agricultural Market Infrastructure Project (SL-CAMIP) will see the construction of four climate-resilient long-span bridges and modern agricultural markets in the districts of Moyamba, Tonkolili, Bo, and Karene.

Valued at $74 million, the project is funded by the World Bank in partnership with the Sierra Leonean government, it aims to replace hazardous ferry and boat crossings with permanent bridges, ensuring safer, faster, and more reliable movement of goods and people. This initiative forms a key part of the government’s Big 5 Game Changers” strategy and directly supports the FEED SALONE objective to enhance food security and stimulate inclusive economic development.

During stakeholder meetings held on May 15–16 in Bagruwa and lower Banta Chiefdoms (Moyamba District) and Lugbo Chiefdom (Bo District), the Minister of transport and aviation, Hon. Amb. Rtd. Col. Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq highlighted the long-term impact of the project. This infrastructure will transform how people and produce move, expand access to markets, and drive economic development in our rural areas, he said.

Once completed, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time especially during the rainy season and improve access to services for thousands of residents. It is also poised to benefit women and youth, who are central to farming and trading activities in rural Sierra Leone.

In a parallel development, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Julius Daniel Mattai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to responsible natural resource management. Speaking at the Kimberley process certification Scheme (KPCS) meeting in Dubai, Mattai called for the depoliticization of the initiative to strengthen global efforts against conflict diamonds. Sierra Leone’s active engagement in the KPCS and the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) reflects its broader agenda for sustainable governance.

Together, these efforts signal Sierra Leone’s commitment to rural development, economic empowerment, and transparent resource management laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity across the country.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 21st, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)