A government motion brought before the House of Parliament for the upgrading of the Lungi/Port Loko Road was yesterday, Thursday 19th November 2009, approved by parliamentarians.

The paper, piloted by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Momodu Kargbo, was tabled in parliament on Tuesday 3rd November 2009.

The paper states the protocol agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the African Development Bank for the upgrading of the road in question.

The Deputy Minister told parliamentarians that a total of about US$41, 000, 000 (Forty One Million United States Dollars) has been budgeted for the construction of about 62 kilometers road from Lungi to Port Loko. He furthered that 30 kilometers road will also be upgraded for feeders roads and 6.5 kilometer for the township of Lungi.

According to the Minister, US$ 950, 000 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) is going to be in the compensation package for resettlement programme of affected people along the construction route.

He explained that the project, on completion, will help to ease the means of transportation for travelers and farmers, who want to take their wares to markets in Freetown, as well as traders from Guinea and other places. He said the construction project to commence on February 2010, will last for a period of eighteen months.

Responding, Hon. Elizabeth Lavalie of the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), commended the Deputy Minister, but raised concerns on the process of compensation for affected persons. She appealed to the Minister to ensure that the resettlement process is transparent and accurate.

APC’s Hon. Ibrahim Bundu maintained that the project will create an impact on the Lungi community. He also noted that the Freetown/Pamlap Road is going to be connected to the constructed road, as a bye pass.