By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has officially commissioned a 24-metre bridge in Bo District, describing the project as a significant milestone in strengthening rural connectivity and advancing the government’s Feed Salone strategy.
The newly constructed bridge links Bongor and Tikonko Chiefdoms, connecting the Mano and Sebehun/Tuba communities—areas that have long suffered from limited access due to poor infrastructure. With its completion, vehicles can now reach these communities for the first time, unlocking new opportunities for trade and agricultural expansion.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Kpaka underscored the importance of infrastructure development in achieving national food security goals. He noted that the bridge forms part of a broader, deliberate effort by government to close critical infrastructure gaps and improve market access for farmers across the country.
According to the Minister, several similar projects are currently underway nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains and enhance productivity.
The bridge was constructed under the Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVDP), a key initiative driving agricultural transformation in Sierra Leone.
Providing further insights, AVDP Programme Manager, Monica Kwame-Green, revealed that the project includes the development of 6,000 hectares of Inland Valley Swamps (IVS), expansion of 9,000 hectares of cocoa farms, support for 5,000 hectares of oil palm cultivation, construction of 55 grain storage facilities, and the rehabilitation of 420 kilometres of feeder roads.
She added that seven bridges have already been completed under the project, with six more expected to be delivered within the year. Bo District, she confirmed, remains one of the major beneficiaries of these interventions.
Bo District Council Chairman, Victor Hindowa, welcomed the development, noting that it aligns with the Council’s broader efforts to improve livelihoods across the district. He assured that the Council would collaborate with local communities to ensure proper maintenance of the bridge and its connecting roads.
Residents of the beneficiary communities expressed appreciation for what they described as a long-overdue intervention. In addition to the bridge, feeder road construction within the area is at an advanced stage, further enhancing accessibility.
Officials indicated that project locations were selected based on their high agricultural potential, with the aim of unlocking productivity, improving market linkages, and supporting sustainable income generation.
Dr. Kpaka reiterated that such targeted investments are essential to transforming Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector and ensuring long-term food security.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 1st April 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
