By Hassan Juana Koroma
Pujehun, 7th April 2026 — A joint monitoring team comprising Infrastructure 4 Development (I4D), engineers from the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), and local stakeholders has inspected ongoing road and bridge projects in Pujehun District, underscoring efforts to ensure transparency and quality in public works.
The field visit focused on the rehabilitation of the Bandajuma–Pujehun road link and the construction of the 90-metre Makibi bridge, which connects two chiefdoms.
Charles Mambu, Chairman of I4D’s Board of Directors, said the monitoring exercise was designed to guarantee accountability in government and donor-funded projects. He praised district stakeholders for their active involvement and urged communities to continue oversight, stressing that “community monitoring is in the best interest of the public.”
The delegation also met Paramount Chief Andrew Ibrahim Jiah Kaikai of Kpanga Chiefdom, who welcomed the inspection and expressed hope for sustained development during his tenure. Deputy Chief Administrator of Pujehun District Council, Jiah Tewoh Gogra, highlighted earlier delays to the bridge works and warned of the dangers posed by the old railway bridge across the Makibi River, describing it as dilapidated and unsafe.
On-site, engineers from contractor First Tricon reported that the first concrete pour for the new bridge had been completed, with subsequent layers underway. The two-lane bridge, once finished, is expected to last more than a century if built to specification.
The inspection reinforced a collaborative approach between I4D, SLRA, the district council, and traditional leaders to ensure the projects meet safety and quality standards. Stakeholders pledged to continue monitoring progress until completion.
