By Sulaiman Jalloh
The Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, debated and ratified, with amendments, key road construction agreements between the government and private sector partners. The agreements pertain to the Mano Junction Tongo Bumpeh road project, to be implemented under a toll-based Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, allowing investors to recoup costs through toll collection.
Among the ratified documents were, A Concession Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone, represented by the Ministry of Works and Public Assets (MoWPA) and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), and Société Djura Maritel Construction (SDMCO) Ltd and partners, the agreement covers the design, reconstruction, tolling, operation, and maintenance of the road under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DFBOT) arrangement, dated August 4, 2025.
Stakeholder Engagement Report by the Safeguards Specialist of SLRA for the same project, also dated August 4, 2025.
Presenting the agreement, Minister of Works and Public Assets Dr. Denis Sandi described it as a significant step in expanding Sierra Leone’s infrastructure,” highlighting its strategic importance: This 85-kilometre road will drive growth and development across the country.”
Parliamentary Debates and Concerns
Several lawmakers weighed in, raising concerns and offering suggestions, Hon. Aaron Koroma, Deputy Leader 2 of the Opposition, compared the deal to the controversial Wellington Masiaka Toll Road, noting that while that road improved safety, the new agreement’s financial structure and placement of four tollgates in rural areas could burden communities.
Hon. Ing. Habib Fabbah, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Works, called for stricter scrutiny of agreements before parliamentary presentation to ensure due diligence, Hon. Zainab Catherine Tarawallie, Deputy Opposition Whip 1, supported toll roads but recommended fewer tollgates and inclusion of legislative committees during agreement preparation.
Hon. Musa Fofanah (Kono) and Hon. Rugiatu Tarawallie Mussaffa (Kenema) emphasized parliamentary involvement and the reduction of tollgates for public convenience. Hon. Simeon Johnny (Kono District) urged that the project be assessed independently from the Wellington–Masiaka Road and advocated for additional road projects.
Hon. Lolo Tongi (Kailahun) warned against repeating past mistakes, citing poor maintenance practices that compromise infrastructure longevity. Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, Deputy Majority Leader 2, praised the project as part of President Bio’s development agenda, stressing the importance of sustained investment in road upkeep.
From the opposition, Hon. Daniel Koroma, Acting Leader of the Opposition, raised procedural concerns regarding the agreement’s presentation and criticized the use of US dollars instead of Leones, citing Section 170(7) of the 1991 Constitution.
Government Response and Oversight
Hon. Bashiru Silikie, Acting Majority Leader, highlighted that the agreement is financially more favorable than the Wellington–Masiaka deal, noting a 30-year operational period and mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives by the companies involved, he affirmed that Parliament will provide oversight to ensure compliance.
Key Amendments Made Government stake increased to 20% ownership in the project, 25% of gross revenue to be returned to the state, Toll collection to begin only after at least 15 km of road is completed Toll payments to be made in Leones, not US dollars Reduction in the number of tollgates
Speaker of Parliament Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas concluded by stressing that future agreements must be reviewed clause-by-clause, ensuring that national interest remains central to all ratifications.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,18th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
