Written by: Badr Ahmed

The President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), inaugurated the new Manoa Bridge, in a move described by officials as a significant milestone in the government's efforts to strengthen infrastructure and stimulate economic development in rural areas.

Sierra Leone closes the chapter on wiretaps

The bridge was inaugurated during an official ceremony attended by a number of local officials and representatives of development institutions, where President Bio stressed that the project constitutes a strategic achievement that will improve transportation and trade and connect local communities to the national economy networks, opening new horizons for farmers, traders and residents in the beneficiary areas.

The President explained that the Manoa Bridge represents part of his government’s vision to build an integrated economic network capable of supporting sustainable development, by facilitating access to markets for agricultural products and promoting the movement of people and goods between different regions.

He noted that the opening of the bridge puts an end to many years of reliance on wire ferries to cross the Mowa River, which had been the main means of transport for residents of a number of sheikhdoms and local communities located on both banks of the river.

The era of ferry crossings has ended

Under the new project, the era of crossing by ferry in the areas of Kibegi West, Upper Bambara, Benguya and Luwawa has officially ended, as residents can now travel across the bridge more safely and quickly, which is expected to contribute to improving living conditions and boosting economic and social activity in those areas.

The Sierra Leonean government confirmed that the project will reduce the time required for travel and the movement of goods, and will help facilitate access to basic services, including education, health care and commercial markets, to local communities that have suffered from mobility difficulties in recent years.

In the same context, President Julius Maada Bio expressed his deep appreciation for the support provided by the World Bank in implementing development projects in the country, praising the ongoing partnership between the two sides in supporting national development plans and strengthening infrastructure.

He noted that the World Bank’s contribution played an important role in the completion of many vital projects, stressing that the government will continue to work with its international partners to implement more initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens and promoting economic growth.

The opening of the Manoa Bridge is seen as an important step towards strengthening regional connectivity and supporting economic development in eastern Sierra Leone, by providing modern infrastructure that contributes to linking local communities with production centers and markets, which will positively impact living standards and future development opportunities.