By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

Residents, traders and transport operators in Kenema District have called on the Government of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) to urgently rehabilitate the Mano Junction–Bumpeh road, warning that its deteriorating condition is increasing the cost of living and disrupting economic activities across several communities.

The Mano Junction–Bumpeh road serves as a major transport corridor linking Bumpeh, Tongo and neighbouring communities to the rest of the district. However, years of deterioration have left large sections of the road damaged, making travel increasingly difficult for motorists, commercial vehicles and residents.

According to commuters and transport operators, the poor condition of the road has resulted in longer travel times, higher fuel consumption and frequent vehicle breakdowns, forcing transport providers to increase fares in order to cover rising operating costs.

Traders operating along the corridor said the increased cost of transportation has had a direct impact on the prices of essential goods. They explained that commodities such as rice, cooking oil, cement and other household necessities now cost significantly more because transporting them has become more expensive.

“We have no option but to increase prices because transport costs have gone up,” one trader said. “At the end of the day, it is the ordinary consumer who suffers.”

Residents noted that households already struggling with economic challenges are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities as the rising cost of transportation continues to drive inflation in local markets.

Fuel distribution has also been affected by the deteriorating road. Community members said fuel tankers often face difficulties reaching filling stations along the route, resulting in delayed deliveries, occasional shortages and, in some instances, higher pump prices.

Business owners say the unreliable fuel supply has affected their daily operations, while transport operators have also experienced difficulties accessing fuel consistently.

Farmers across the area expressed concern that the poor road network is limiting access to markets. They said transporting agricultural produce has become both costly and time-consuming, with perishable goods often arriving late or damaged due to the difficult journey.

The situation, they said, has reduced their profits while contributing to higher food prices for consumers.

“We produce enough food, but getting it to the markets has become a major challenge,” a local farmer explained. “Sometimes our produce spoils before it reaches buyers because of the bad road.”

Community leaders have described the rehabilitation of the Mano Junction–Bumpeh road as an urgent economic priority rather than simply an infrastructure project. They believe that repairing the road would reduce transport costs, improve access to markets, ensure more reliable fuel distribution and stimulate economic growth throughout the district.

They further argued that an improved road network would encourage investment, enhance trade, create employment opportunities and strengthen agricultural production in Bumpeh, Tongo and surrounding communities.

The leaders have appealed to the Government of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority and development partners to prioritise the rehabilitation of the road, noting that improved infrastructure is essential for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

While expressing their willingness to work alongside government institutions and development partners to support long-term road maintenance, residents warned that unless urgent intervention is undertaken, communities along the Mano Junction–Bumpeh corridor will continue to face rising transport costs, increasing food and fuel prices, and declining economic opportunities.

For many residents, restoring the Mano Junction–Bumpeh road is not only about improving transportation but also about safeguarding livelihoods, supporting local businesses and ensuring that communities can fully participate in the country’s economic development.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 27th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)