A heated political debate has erupted over the development trajectory of Lungi, triggered by the government’s recent proposal to construct a $124 million Presidential Congress Centre in the area and a presidential aide’s claim that the opposition has historically neglected the town.

Minority Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo has issued a detailed response to comments made by Presidential Aide and State House Communications Director Myk Berewa, presenting what he describes as the factual record of development under the previous All People’s Congress (APC) administration.

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of a major infrastructure announcement. Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura recently unveiled plans for a $124 million Congress Centre in Lungi, which will feature a high-capacity convention hall, a presidential villa capable of hosting 20 heads of state, a 1,400-seat multipurpose auditorium, and an adjoining hotel. The government has structured the project as a public-private partnership, with a private developer securing commercial bank loans while the government provides lease guarantees backed by future resource revenues.

Defending the project on social media, Myk Berewa wrote: “The APC has always looked down on Lungi, wanted to shift a $400M airport to Mamamah, President Bio said no! He built a modern airport for $270 million and is now adding a massive congress center, all in Lungi. It’s not about winning their votes.”

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The reference to the Mamamah airport project has deep historical roots. Under former President Ernest Bai Koroma, the APC government had initiated plans for a $400 million international airport at Mamamah, approximately 55 kilometers from Freetown, to replace the existing Lungi facility . The project, which would have been funded by Chinese loans, faced strong opposition from international financial institutions including the World Bank and IMF, who argued it was uneconomical given that Lungi airport was operating below capacity . Upon taking office in 2018, President Julius Maada Bio’s government cancelled the project, citing concerns over debt sustainability and the underutilization of the existing airport .

In his response, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, who identifies as a native of Lungi, has placed on record the development initiatives implemented during the APC administration from 2007 to 2018.

According to Kargbo, when the APC took over from the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Lungi had no electricity supply. Under President Koroma’s leadership, he says, two thermal plants were procured for the town, providing residents with over 18 hours of electricity on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends—a level of service he argues significantly improved businesses, healthcare delivery, and living conditions.

The Minority Leader also credits the APC government with addressing water access challenges, stating that Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) was directed to extend pipe-borne water to Lungi, ensuring residents gained access to safe and reliable drinking water.

On infrastructure development, Kargbo asserts that the road leading to the Government Hospital in Lungi—previously impassable—was constructed under President Koroma. He adds that roads from Targrin to the airport and from Lungi to Port Loko were also built, and work had commenced on the road to Mahera Hospital with drainage systems completed before the change of government, a project that was subsequently halted.

Kargbo further notes that the road from the airport to Conakry Dee has appeared in more than four national budgets without ever being executed, raising what he describes as “serious concerns about planning, prioritization, and accountability.”

Turning to present conditions, Kargbo highlights that during the current period of Ramadan and Lent, Lungi is facing severe electricity shortages. He claims residents receive power for only about five days in an entire month, with prolonged blackouts for the remainder. “In fact, from Christmas Day to date, Lungi has not had any stable electricity supply,” he states, describing this as a serious decline in basic service delivery that places immense hardship on households, businesses, and healthcare facilities.

The opposition leader also addresses local economic grievances related to the newly renovated international airport. He alleges that many landowners reportedly received less than Le 100,000 as compensation for their land, and that a significant number of indigenes lost their jobs, with highly educated residents, including master’s degree holders, relegated to menial positions serving tea or maintaining airport gardens.

The government has framed the proposed Congress Centre as a transformative investment that will reposition Lungi from a transit point into a strategic economic hub. Officials project that the construction phase will generate thousands of jobs, while long-term operations are expected to create employment in hospitality, security, logistics, administration, and maintenance. Authorities anticipate growth opportunities for local entrepreneurs in transportation, catering, retail, and tourism services.

Finance Minister Bangura has emphasized that the innovative PPP financing model minimizes direct government borrowing, with profit-sharing arrangements taking effect once construction costs are recovered.

However, the proposal has faced parliamentary pushback from opposition lawmakers who argue the massive investment is disconnected from urgent needs of ordinary citizens. Opposition Chief Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kargbo has highlighted ongoing transportation challenges between Lungi and Freetown, particularly unreliable boat crossings, suggesting resources could be better utilized for education, healthcare, or agricultural road networks.