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Residents and road users have raised urgent concerns over ongoing excavation and stone removal activities along sections of the Regent Grafton Bypass Road in Freetown, warning that the operations could endanger lives and damage one of the city’s key transport corridors.
According to local accounts, repeated blasting and mechanical removal of rocks and stones are taking place close to the carriageway. The activities have reportedly resulted in dust clouds, falling debris, and visible destabilization of slopes bordering the roadway.
Commuters, commercial drivers, and nearby residents say the situation is becoming increasingly hazardous, with many expressing fear over the safety of pedestrians, especially schoolchildren who regularly use the route.
“If the appropriate authorities fail to act, we may likely have victims that would lead to loss of lives,” said one resident who requested anonymity. Community members also report that drivers are being forced to slow down or swerve to avoid scattered rock fragments on the road.
The Regent Grafton Bypass is widely regarded as a critical transport artery linking key parts of Freetown, facilitating daily movement of people, goods, and emergency services. Residents warn that continued unchecked excavation could not only lead to accidents but also compromise the long-term stability of the road infrastructure.
They are calling on relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the Road Maintenance Fund Administration, the Freetown City Council, and the Sierra Leone Police, to urgently intervene to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Concerns have also been directed at contractors and project managers operating in the area, with calls for stricter enforcement of construction safety standards and independent assessments before further work continues near the carriageway.
Stakeholders warn that failure to act swiftly could result in avoidable accidents, loss of life, and costly long-term repairs that may further disrupt transport, commerce, and emergency response services in the capital.
Residents and road users are therefore urging immediate suspension or strict regulation of the ongoing operations, stressing that public safety must be prioritized to preserve the integrity of the vital bypass road.
