Post a comment 
Residents of the Locust community, east of Freetown, have raised alarm over the halted construction work on the Locust Bridge, a key access route into the city.
The project, undertaken by Gento Group of Companies, has stalled after partial works, leaving the structure in a fragile state. Locals fear the deteriorating bridge poses a growing risk to both residents and the thousands of commuters who depend on it daily.
Mohamed Jalloh, popularly known as Pa Jalloh, recalled that engineers had earlier assured the community of repairs. But residents had argued that the bridge, riddled with cracks, required complete reconstruction instead. “Less than a year after the so-called repairs, the bridge developed serious cracks, and half of the structure collapsed,” Jalloh said.
The Locust Bridge is a crucial entry point into Freetown, especially during peak hours. With traffic now restricted to a narrow one-way lane, residents say congestion and accidents have increased. Jalloh recounted a recent incident where a commercial vehicle lost control and nearly ran into pedestrians.
Motorbike rider Saidu Sesay urged government intervention but emphasized that residents would remain law-abiding. “This Old Road is the only alternative for commercial vehicles when the main motor road is closed between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekdays. More consideration is needed in planning and accessibility,” he stressed.
Responding to the concerns, John Bockarie Kamara, Chief Engineer of Bridges at the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), said the project’s scope involves reconstructing the collapsed embankment with reinforced retaining walls. “Inasmuch as we are managing the project, civil works cannot continue in such inclement weather conditions,” he said, assuring residents that construction would resume once the weather improves.
