The SCADeP project in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders has in a well-attended meeting compensated various categories of affected persons along the Senehun and Jong manual cable ferry cross points on Thursday 14th September 2023.

The compensation was preceded the previous day by entitlement letters to all the beneficiaries of the compensation. The process is meant to facilitate the commencement of the construction of the bridge by removing any obstacle that might potentially obstruct the process. The beneficiaries were drawn from both part oof the crossing point and their properties being compensated for ranges from houses, economic trees, water wells, mosque, loss of livelihoods such as boats, ferries for operators, graves, public utilities, landowners and petty traders.

Speaking at the ceremony, Umaru Missaly representing Audit Service Sierra Leone noted that as guardians of the economy with mandate from section 119 of the Sierra Leone constitution, they were there to ensure that accountability and transparency are part of the process. He noted that they are on the look out on how funds are utilised and whether the right people are the ones benefitting from the process. H encouraged the people to utilise the funds wisely. In the same vein, Moses Bangura representing the Anti-corruption Commission said that they seek to ensure that the compensation process is devoid of fraud.

Mrs.Nafisatu Koroma, Social Safeguards Specialist for SCADeP in her remark stated that the entitlement letters given to affected persons is for them to be able to collect their benefits. She emphasised that the process has gone through a long process including thorough verification of beneficiaries in collaboration with different stakeholders along with traditional leaders. She noted that everyone was fully informed and monies are going to be sent to the various bank accounts of the beneficiaries. She encouraged affected persons not to move out of the township totally and to build houses better than what they use to have. She revealed that her office will constantly monitor the process of rebuilding the properties that will be demolished.

SCADeP Project Coordinator Sulaiman Sesay said the construction of the Senehun bridge is just a part of seven proposed bridges to be constructed by the government of Sierra Leone with funding from the World Bank. He noted that it is part of linking highly productive farming areas to markets thereby meeting the target of component two of the SCADeP Project Development Objective under its second component which is market access improvement. Mr. Sulaiman Sesay went on to say that SCADeP is a project under the Ministry of Agriculture and that the SCADeP PCU is a supervisory agency that works with many other partners and agencies. He noted that the compensation is a significant milestone towards realisation of the construction of the bridge as many activities have already been undertaken. He said contractors have even been on ground to do some geological surveys on how best the bridge can be positioned and built. The monies given to affected persons he said are meant to bring good instead of pain while the construction process commences. Mr. Sesay further said that because the process very significant, it is being undertaken in conjunction with key partners such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Audit Service Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Finance and Works and others. SCADeP he said will ensure that all due processes are followed.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture One (1) Tenneh Theriza Dick Noted that the building of the bridge is a huge leap for the region as it will ease access to both sides of the river reducing the risks and time of crossing while enhancing movement of goods.  She also noted that it will also boost agricultural productivity and increase income for farmers thereby improving their livelihoods. She said the ministry of Agriculture will continue to work in promoting food security stressing that the ; “Feed Salon” agenda by the president is on course. She advised the people to embrace the project by being supportive and encouraged the recipients of the compensation not to waste monies given to them but to rather utilise their monies to build better houses and better their lives. She said her Ministry will continue to do what it takes to make sure agriculture thrives.

The estimated sum being given to affected persons between the Senehun and Jong crossing point totals One billion four hundred and thirty two million, one hundred and forty three thousand three hundred and ten new Leones(Le 1, 432, 310.00).

Nine structures are affected along the crossing point including thirty-six boat operators, five ferry operators, one society bush, one point two acre of land, five petty traders and forty-nine people.

SCADeP is a project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security that seeks to support smallholder farmers by enhancing access to finance and market access improvement.