Residents Demand Answers For Moyamba–Shenge Road

The Moyamba–Shenge Road can no longer be treated as another development promise that citizens are expected to remember only when elections approach. The people of Moyamba deserve a clear explanation of where the project stands, what Government has committed to, and when a formal agreement and implementation process will begin.

The issue becomes even more important following President Julius Maada Bio’s State Opening Address on 7 August 2026, in which Government presented infrastructure development and road construction as part of its wider development agenda. The President stated that roads and bridges connect communities to markets, essential services and economic opportunities, while reporting that 474.46 kilometres of roads had been paved between 2018 and 2026 and that 26 major road projects were underway.

But for the people of Moyamba, the national figures raise another question: where does the Moyamba–Shenge Road fit into this picture?

Government has repeatedly emphasised that development must be measured by tangible results rather than announcements. In the same State Opening Address, the President said the administration’s “Year of Action and Accelerated Delivery” would be judged by completed projects and improvements that citizens can see and feel. Government also committed to measurable targets, published progress, explanations for delays and corrective action where projects fail to deliver.

That standard should also apply to Moyamba.

If the Moyamba–Shenge Road is considered a priority, then the people should not be left guessing about its future. They should be given a clear account of the government’s position.

The road matters, because its importance goes beyond the physical connection between two locations. For communities along the corridor, better road infrastructure can influence access to markets, agricultural production, health facilities, education, transportation and private-sector activity.

Government itself has acknowledged that agriculture, infrastructure and economic development are interconnected. Its development framework recognises that agriculture requires roads, energy, technology and skills, while national growth depends on effective delivery and infrastructure that produces visible results.

That makes the continued uncertainty surrounding the Moyamba–Shenge Road even more difficult to ignore.

The people should therefore begin asking harder questions.

What is the current status of the proposed road project?

Has Government completed the necessary negotiations and technical assessments?

Is there a financing arrangement being pursued?

What institution or development partner is expected to support the project?

If an agreement is being prepared, when will it be concluded?

And most importantly, when will the people see a formal commitment that can be subjected to public scrutiny?

These questions are not politically motivated. They are questions of accountability.

President Bio’s own address described the current parliamentary session as a period of national accountability, and acknowledged that Sierra Leoneans have unfinished work and expectations that cannot wait. He further stated that public policies and resources must ultimately be measured by whether they improve people’s lives.

The people of Moyamba should therefore use that principle to demand answers about a road that directly affects their development prospects.

It is also important that the responsibility for advocacy does not fall on one person or one political party.

Moyamba’s Members of Parliament, Paramount Chiefs, local authorities, community leaders, civil society organisations, business people and other influential sons and daughters of the district should collectively make the Moyamba–Shenge Road a sustained development campaign.

The district cannot afford a situation where its development priorities become loud during election periods and silent afterward.

Political differences will always exist, but roads do not belong to political parties. A road serves farmers, traders, students, patients, workers and businesses regardless of who they voted for.

That is why the demand should be simple and measurable.

The people of Moyamba should be asking Government to secure a signed and Parliamentary-approved agreement for the Moyamba–Shenge Road before the end of the current administration.

Such a commitment would be more meaningful than another public promise. It would provide an institutional foundation for implementation and make it easier for citizens, Parliament and future administrations to track progress.

Government has already stated that Parliament must exercise responsible oversight and bring the priorities of citizens into the Chamber. The President specifically urged Members of Parliament to remain close to their districts, listen to their people and bring their priorities into Parliament.

This is precisely where Moyamba’s representatives must demonstrate leadership.

The people should not have to wait for another election campaign before hearing about the Moyamba–Shenge Road again.

They should not have to depend on political speeches to know whether the project is progressing.

They should not be satisfied with vague assurances when Government is publicly committing itself to measurable targets, transparency and accelerated delivery.

The time has come for a clear public roadmap.

If there are challenges, explain them.

If financing is being pursued, disclose the direction of the negotiations.

If an agreement is being prepared, provide a timeline.

If Parliamentary approval is required, begin the process.

And if implementation is possible, let the people know when they can expect work to commence.

The people of Moyamba are not demanding special treatment. They are demanding that their development priorities receive the seriousness that Government says it is giving to roads and infrastructure across the country.

The President has said that a partnership only earns its meaning when an agreement becomes a passable road, safe water, a productive farm, a stronger clinic or a job for a Sierra Leonean.

For Moyamba, that principle should now be put to the test.

The question is no longer whether the Moyamba–Shenge Road is important. The question is whether Government is prepared to turn the promise into a binding commitment and the commitment into a completed road.

Moyamba deserves an answer.

And the people should keep asking until they get one.