By Alfred Peter Conteh

The people of Kagboro Chiefdom in Moyamba District have made a passionate appeal to the government and Members of Parliament to urgently intervene in rehabilitating the long neglected Moyamba Shenge road, which serves as the main access route to the Chiefdom.

In an exclusive interview, Muniru Salifu Will, Secretary General of the Kagboro Descendants Association, lamented that the deplorable state of the road has left the Chiefdom isolated for years, making it one of the most deprived communities in the country.

“For quite a long time now, Kagboro has been suffering due to the poor condition of our roads. Vehicles hardly have access to the Chiefdom, forcing residents to rely on river transport as the only means of travel,” Mr. Will explained.

He recounted that the dependence on water transportation has not been without tragedy he recalling September 8, 2009 when a boat carrying passengers to Kagboro Chiefdom capsized, leading to the loss of about 250 lives, a disaster that remains one of the darkest moments in the Chiefdom’s history and quiet recently one of the passenger boats carrying hundreds of passengers also lost its way at the sea due to the terrible weather conditions.

Mr. Will also expressed concern over the growing maternal mortality rate in the area, attributing it to the lack of accessible roads which delay the arrival of ambulances and emergency medical services. “Even government officials rarely visit the Chiefdom because of the terrible condition of the road, as a result, we are often cut off from essential services and development aid,” he added.

He recalled that when President Julius Maada Bio assumed office, he promised to rehabilitate the Shenge road, a pledge that has yet to be fulfilled. “For years, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay and others have been advocating tirelessly on our behalf, but progress has been painfully slow. Our people are suffering, which is why we have decided to join forces with our representatives to appeal directly to the Hon. Speaker of Parliament and His Excellency the President,” he pleaded.

The residents of Kagboro Chiefdom are now calling on the government to prioritize the construction of the Moyamba/Shenge road, describing it as a lifeline for their survival, safety, and development.

“Our plea is simple, we are citizens of Sierra Leone, and we also deserve the same access to good roads, healthcare, and opportunities as any other part of the country we only ask the government to fulfill its promise and come to our aid,” Mr. Will concluded.