By Alfred Peter Conteh

Hon. Alpha Jalloh, Member of Parliament representing Falaba District under the ticket of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), has raised grave concern over the deplorable state of the Makeni/Kabala highway, describing it as a “death trap” for travelers and drivers who ply the route daily.

Speaking in Parliament during the ongoing debate on the President’s address, Hon. Jalloh lamented that the condition of the road has deteriorated beyond measure, posing serious risks to lives and livelihoods. He emphasized that despite being one of the most strategic roads in the country linking Bombali, Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, the highway remains among the most dangerous and neglected roads in Sierra Leone.

“The Makeni–Kabala road is in such a deplorable condition that accidents occur almost every week, just last week alone, two major road crashes were recorded. How many more lives must we lose before government intervenes? Are we waiting for the worst to happen before reconstruction begins?” he questioned passionately.

Hon. Jalloh further noted that both Koinadugu and Falaba Districts play a vital role in Sierra Leone’s food production, contributing immensely to the government’s “Feed Salone” initiative, despite their agricultural productivity, the people of these districts are deprived of good road infrastructure to transport their goods and produce to other parts of the country.

“Our people in Koinadugu and Falaba are doing their best to feed the nation, yet they have been abandoned when it comes to development,” he said.

He informed that the country cannot talk about food security when its farmers cannot safely transport their produce to the markets. Against this backdrop, he called on the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Road Maintenance Fund Administration and the central government to give urgent attention to the Makeni–Kabala highway.

He stressed that rehabilitating the road would not only save lives but also promote trade, agriculture, and national integration.

The call by Hon. Alpha Jalloh echoes the growing frustration among residents and commuters who rely on the route for economic and social activities. Many have long decried the poor state of the road, which becomes nearly impassable during the rainy season.

As the debate continues in Parliament, all eyes are now on the government to respond with concrete action to fix one of Sierra Leone’s most vital yet neglected highways.