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Presidential Spokesperson, Alhaji Alpha Kanu has disclosed that the construction of the much-anticipated Lungi Bridge is not part of President Julius Maada Bio’s current agenda.
Africa Newspaper reports that the revelation was made on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, during a press briefing at the Administrative Building in Parliament.
According to Kanu, while discussions had taken place between the government and potential investors regarding the bridge’s construction, the project has been deemed financially impractical. He explained that the number of vehicles traveling between Lungi and Freetown is minimal, making the $2 billion investment difficult to justify.
Kanu further mentioned that the bridge, if it were to be constructed, would operate as a toll bridge. However, he emphasized that the government remains in negotiations with investors to explore alternative terms, though the bridge is no longer a priority.
Instead, Kanu highlighted the “Big 5 Game Changers” as the government’s primary focus over the next four years, shifting attention away from the bridge project.
The promise of a bridge linking Lungi to Freetown was a key issue during President Bio’s 2018 campaign, with high expectations set during and after the election. At one point, supporters even prepared for a launch event, donning T-shirts in anticipation of the project’s start.
However, as time passed, the momentum around the bridge’s construction waned, echoing the unfulfilled promises from the late President Tejan Kabbah’s administration, who had also voiced intentions to build the bridge but never materialized.
Residents of Lungi, who have long awaited a solution to the transportation challenges they face, expressed frustration over the government’s shift in priorities. With ferry services now unreliable and fares on the rise, many feel the government has once again let them down.
So, are they that retarded that they didn’t know that we did not have the traffic to justify the bridge? They like making empty promises thinking if they say it, we believe it and then forget they did not keep their promises. Bio did not want Koroma to get credit, so he cancelled the airport Koroma wanted to build and now hundreds of millions that could have been used to build a new airport that is not across the water have been spent to upgrade Lungi, with no bridge. They can’t do it, so now, it isn’t part of the agenda. FAILURE
If it is actually true that the bridge is not a priority for its construction,it is obviously disappointing and unbelievable.It was one time specifically stated that the construction would start the last quarter of 2024.It is now a different ball game.We don’t know what the circumstances are but I hope and pray that things will work out well for this bridge project to materialize.
The people of Lungi also enjoy the new free town international airport
Hahaha o salone
What a shame just talk no action y raised people’s hope when u know u r telling lies to the people of sierra leone?
Umm! It was a policy statement and with emphasis from the president. Anyways we are looking to hear from the president himself.
But these project was never on any of president Bio policy. I can remember it was pa kabbah’s, before infamous AFRC coup, that he shall restore the train service, and lungi bridge. But the misguided, greed for power soldiers, made those policies to be withhold.
The spokes man referencing that the amount of vehicles pass through the bridge is minimal to that of the project. If the vehicles passes their are minimal ,shouldn’t be a case affecting the project,there are other options to raises the 2billion dollars for the constructions of the bridge for Sierra Leoneans people.. stop the dramaaaaa🤔…. Some Government officials waisting huge amount of tax payers money with impunity. 🤭
My goodness. So the APC has been expecting the SLPP to do what they can not do for eleven years in their own stronghold. What a display of ignorance and double standards.
This is the same thing I always say I’m the right person who knows the worthy of that lungi bridge without boosting to Sierra Leoneans. Neither minimum vehicles or not that bridge 🌉 must be construct because it Lessing the city over loading and congestion, lungi bridge links Sierra Leone and Guinea faster than they thought. If that bridge construct, the lands in lungi will be worthy and lungi will be the best tourist destination ever and it’s going to be the Sierra Leone Miami city 🏙️. But just Sierra Leone leaders dreaming small and desperately depends on foreign investors and donors to build their nation, which will never happen but ends up disappointed to themselves and the people of that country. It’s a shame since 1961 none of them had done anything for the country and it’s people but keeps pointing fingers to each other with lies and failing to take their responsibility lying before their faces. Sierra Leone must be great by all means we will change the narrative very soon.