The government of Sierra Leone and the European Union (EU) have jointly announced the commencement of the Makolo Junction to Mabang Bridge Road Project.

Launched on November 15, 2023, by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the initiative entails the construction of a 14 km asphalted road connecting Makolo Junction to Mabang.

With a total budget of 7.35 Million Euros, the project sees a collaborative funding effort, with 2.75 Million Euros contributed by the Government of Sierra Leone and 4.6 Million Euros by the EU. This collaboration builds upon an earlier commitment of 48 Million Euros from the EU, which supported the construction of bridges in Mabang and Magbele, as well as the road from Moyamba Junction to Moyamba Town.

Vice President Dr. Juldeh Jalloh highlighted that the Makolo-Mabang Road aligns with President Bio’s Infrastructure For Economic Competitiveness pillar of the Medium Term National Development Program. The road aims to enhance connectivity, particularly benefiting farmers in the agrarian South by linking them to markets in the north and west.

Additionally, the Government of Sierra Leone will provide compensation to affected property owners, grant duty waivers to the contractor, and ensure security for the project. Emphasizing a non-political approach, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh stressed President Bio’s commitment to extending essential services like roads, energy, health, and communications across the entire nation.

 

EU Ambassador Manuel Müller praised the collaboration, noting that the project exemplifies the joint efforts to enhance connectivity, making Sierra Leone an integral part of the ‘Global Gateway.’ The construction, initiated on November 1, 2023, is expected to leverage both West African and European expertise, with completion anticipated in 2025. This project further solidifies the longstanding partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union in advancing infrastructure and connectivity within the region.