By Dadson A. Musa

For more than five decades, large-scale mining of rutile, zircon, ilmenite, and bauxite in the Bonthe and Moyamba districts has generated immense wealth for Sierra Leone, yet, residents of the mining communities where these minerals are extracted continue to grapple with poverty, environmental degradation, and a lack of basic infrastructure.

This year, the worsening condition of roads in these districts has emerged as a major concern, especially during the rainy season. Many roads have become virtually impassable, posing safety risks to travelers and disrupting the movement of goods and services. Some stretches are now described as death traps, creating daily hardship for the people who live in the so-called “breadbasket” of Sierra Leone’s mineral economy.

In response, Emmanuel Sattie, a representative of the civil society group Human Rights Defenders, has written a strongly worded letter to President Julius Maada Bio, ministers, and local authorities, urging swift intervention. The letter highlights the irony of decades of mining operations by companies such as Sierra Rutile Limited and Sierra Minerals while the host communities remain marginalized and underdeveloped.

Regrettably, while our resources have been extracted for national gain, our communities remain disadvantaged in terms of basic infrastructure, particularly roads, and the letter states, the road networks leading from the Sierra Rutile communities to the capital, Moyamba District, and other major towns are in a dilapidated and deplorable state. This condition limits access to healthcare, education, and markets, while inflating the cost of living for our people.

Sattie acknowledged government efforts to improve infrastructure nationwide but stressed that mining communities along the backbone of Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth deserve urgent and prioritized attention.

The letter outlined four key recommendations, That the Ministry of Works and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) prioritize and begin the rehabilitation of major roads connecting Sierra Rutile communities to Moyamba, Bo, Freetown, and beyond.That mining companies, in line with their corporate social responsibility, partner with government to fund road construction and maintenance.

That Members of Parliament, paramount chiefs, councilors, and district authorities intensify collaboration with central government to ensure the voices of the people are heard.That a practical, time-bound plan for road construction be developed and communicated to communities to foster transparency and accountability.

Sattie concluded with an appeal directly to President Bio, himself a son of the region, to ensure that the longstanding neglect of Bonthe and Moyamba’s mining communities is finally addressed.

We trust in your leadership, wisdom, and commitment to justice that these long-standing challenges will finally be resolved, the letter added, residents say they are hopeful that this latest call to action will bring lasting relief and development to communities that have endured exploitation without tangible benefits for far too long.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday,20th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)