Travellers and residents say the road linking Makeni to Kamakwie is getting worse and could soon become too bad for vehicles to pass if nothing is done.

Adding to the worsening situation is the collapse of the Mathehun Bridge in June 2024, located along the Makeni–Kamakwie highway between Bombali and Karene districts.

The bridge’s destruction has severely cut off vehicular access, particularly for trucks and larger vehicles. Since the incident, transport fares have tripled, and motorcycles remain the only reliable means of transportation for residents in the area.

Several people who spoke to Africa24 said the route has become nearly impossible to use, especially for trucks and vehicles carrying food and other supplies to remote areas in Bombali and Karene districts.

Related News

Foday Melvin Samura, who recently returned from the area, described the route as increasingly difficult to travel. He said the poor condition of the road is making it hard for supply trucks to reach the communities along the way.

He added that Kamakwie, being the district headquarters of Karene, should have better road access due to its economic value and role in national development. Samura also pointed out that the road is key for farming and trade, and warned that with the rainy season approaching, it may soon become unusable.

Isata Sankoh, a businesswoman who regularly travels along the route, said the state of the road has slowed business. She noted that transport fares have gone up and that the journey from Makeni to Kamakwie can now take an entire day and sometimes even longer due to delays caused by the road’s condition.

A motorbike rider, Sulaiman Jalloh, also said that riding along the road has become very difficult. He explained that deep potholes often force riders to avoid certain stretches, making even short trips hard to complete.

The economic impact has been especially hard on local businesses and residents. Prices of essential commodities have risen sharply due to supply shortages, and over sixty thousand residents across thirteen chiefdoms in the two districts face growing isolation.

The 55-mile road stretch between Makeni and Kamakwie now poses a serious risk for travel and trade. Locals fear that without quick action, the area will be completely cut off, worsening the already bad situation.

Residents are now calling on the government and relevant authorities to act urgently to repair both the road and the collapsed bridge. They warn that continued neglect will further damage the regional economy and make life unbearable for thousands already struggling.