As part of its nationwide campaign to improve cities and townships roads across the country, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has contracted a development and engineering firm called Sigodi Marah Martin to undertake a study and compile a detailed engineering design for selected roads in the Northern Province.

This rehabilitation project is in line with the government’s Agenda for Change to develop better transport links, expand the length of the paved road network, and to provide a safe, integrated and reliable transport network across the country, so that the network can meet the nation’s growing needs.

The overall aim is to improve the road sector contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction by enhancing its effectiveness and efficiency. The rehabilitation project in the Northern Province will result to the improvement of 70km of road network upgraded from dirt roads to Class 1 paved roads.

The project covers Makeni (30km), Kabala (10km), Kambia (10km), Magburaka (10km) and Port Loko (10km).

It is anticipated that the Northern Province will derive substantial benefits from an improved transport network, such as enhanced local commerce and industries, easier access to market for agricultural produce, better social service delivery.

The detailed design engineering report is expected to be complete at the end of March 2010, from which final tender documents will be created.

A Donors Round Table to secure funding for the project is scheduled for April 2010, after which the bidding process will kick start.