Kenema’s Central Market Set for Transformation Under Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project
Valentine Benjamin Conteh In a bid to modernize Kenema’s economic hub, the Kenema City Council, with support from the World Bank, held a crucial consultation with traders and stakeholders to discuss the upcoming upgrade of the Kenema Central Market under the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project.
The meeting, held in Kenema, centered on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the proposed upgrade of the Kenema Central Market.
During the engagement, traders were given the opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions, and better understand how the project will affect their businesses and livelihoods. KCC officials assured participants that fair compensation, transparent resettlement procedures, and inclusive development will be prioritized to minimize disruptions.
They emphasized that the upgrade will not only modernize the city’s infrastructure but also improve sanitation and strengthen resilience against urban challenges.
Market women and traders welcomed the dialogue, stressing that community consultation is vital to ensuring the project delivers benefits while addressing social and environmental impacts.
The Kenema Central Market upgrade forms part of the broader RUSLP initiative, which seeks to enhance urban resilience, infrastructure, and service delivery in key cities across Sierra Leone.