By Mohamed Fofanah (Fofie)

The Kamayama Road that connects Regent Road, Lumley, Western Area, Freetown is really dilapidated. This damaged road which appears to be in the corridor of some government officials in both past and present has been neglected for more than a decade.

The road is not even more than one hundred and fifty kilometers mathematically, but there is no sign of stakeholders and youths in the community to sit on a round table to discuss about the way forward to construct this road for goodwill of the community people.

What else can you offer to community people? Today, if it’s green discussions tomorrow will be red discussions or accusations and counter accusations when it comes to construction of the road. The potholes are too much at Kamayama Road and it makes kehkeh and bikes riders struggle tirelessly to reach their destinations.

The community people are complaining bitterly of this deadly road and they suffer extreme air pollution during the dry season and bikes fall in those potholes every day. In an interview with a traders in the community, Jeneba Seasy, told this medium that “This poor road network at Kamayama is disturbing us seriously more especially during dry season. During the dry season, it is hard nut to crack to do business at main junction because of perpetual dust and we are left with no option but to endure the air pollution.”

On that note, no functional businesses are running in the community due to massive air pollution of dust which has otherwise painted the nearby houses to deep brown. Shops are always closed at the main junction during dry season and windows are constantly closed in the nearby houses in the community as well.

Furthermore, the deplorable Kamayama Road has a grim effect on the lives of the people in the community. The people suffer severe fresh cold and some severe air burning diseases during the day season. The community people are getting tired as they have started wondering because the dry season is fastly approaching.

Women who are single parents always complain of not doing their businesses effectively during the dry season and transportation is more than expensive to come at Kamayama Junction because of poor road network. Speaking with one of the kehkeh riders, Joesph Bangura, said that “The road is very bad and every week we have to spend huge money to the garage for proper maintenance of our tricycles. That is why we usually add extra to the normal transportation fare. Seriously, we are managing but the constraints are too much on us the kehkeh and bike riders.”

Talking with one concern citizen who resides in the community said that they have met many stakeholders and discuss with them about the menace of this road. Some were ready to volunteer to make the road singlehandedly but because of political differences which have cooked in community made some to get discouraged to construct the road. Their strong saying goes, “Dis na government road so na government for make am.” He further added that schools pupils and students suffer during the dry season. A majority of the school pupils have to round by Menda Junction to make their presence felt in their various schools.

On that note, I am seeking the attention of all youths and stakeholders to put hands on deck in finding ways and means to construct this miserable road before the coming of the dry season. I am gently appealing to all the community people to consider the construction of this road as one of priorities. It is achievable and it’s something needs to be done for the benefit and progress of Kamayama, Pathogen and Jah Kingdom community. I like this saying which says that “Good roads  are lifeline  of civilization, and their construction is the heartbeat of progress.”