By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of efforts to assess progress, identify challenges, and chart the way forward for the Torma Bum Sector 1 & 2 irrigation project and associated rural road construction, a high-level oversight delegation comprising members of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security conducted a comprehensive site visit to the project area in Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District, Southern Sierra Leone.

These critical agricultural and infrastructural projects are being implemented under the Regional Rice Value Chain Project (RRVCP), funded by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security acting as both employer and financier. The technical supervision is being handled by Spectrum Engineering Consultants in joint venture with Design Technology Initiative (SL) Limited, while Pavi Fort Al Associates serves as the primary contractor.

The oversight mission, held on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, was jointly led by Hon. Sallieu Osman Sesay, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, and Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. The objective of the visit was to examine and evaluate the progress of ongoing work on both the irrigation and rural road infrastructure, which are vital to enhancing rice production and improving connectivity in the region.

During the visit, Joel Lawson, Regional Operations Director for Pavi Fort Associates Ltd., provided a detailed overview of the company’s scope, capacity, and involvement in the project. He highlighted that Pavi Fort is a wholly Sierra Leonean-owned construction firm established in 2015. The company specializes in pre-financing, construction, and project management, with operations extending to several West African countries, including Guinea, Liberia, The Gambia, Senegal, São Tomé, and Nigeria.

Lawson noted that Pavi Fort has successfully executed over 20 large-scale projects and boasts a workforce of more than 1,500 employees and a fleet of over 350 heavy-duty equipment. The company’s specialties include road construction, irrigation systems, water supply infrastructure, dams, real estate, and mining-related services. At the Torma Bum site, Pavi Fort has deployed a substantial number of machinery, including dump trucks, graders, rollers, and concrete pavers.

The Torma Bum Irrigation Project, awarded through international competitive bidding, involves the development of Sectors 1, 2, and 4. The contract, valued at USD 10.9 million, was signed with the joint venture of Pavi Fort and Bridge Company for Engineering and Contracting. The Islamic Development Bank is also financing the irrigation works, and Spectrum Engineering Consultant JV DTI is supervising implementation. The project, which commenced in 2024, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

In terms of progress, Lawson reported that Sector 1 is advancing well, with 91% of clearing and grubbing completed, 72.83% canal fill, 85.15% funnel work, and 68% of pump station civil works done. Canal concrete paving has begun, with 1.1% completed, while box culvert works are 78.5% complete. However, Sector 2 is covering, with only 21.2% of clearing and grubbing and 25.58% of canal fill completed. Overall, the project currently stands at 30.13% completion.

He outlined several major challenges affecting timely implementation. These include inconsistencies between bidding documents and actual site conditions, design changes, right-of-way disputes, adverse weather conditions, and difficulties in sourcing local materials. He also cited equipment losses, such as a buried excavator during swamp excavation, as further setbacks. As a result, project costs have increased, with delays in design approvals compounding the problem.

Despite only receiving $3.3 million out of the $10.9 million project budget, Pavi Fort has already executed work worth close to $6 million. “We found that the borrow-to-fill component alone jumped from $2.2 million to nearly $8.2 million due to unforeseen site conditions. Yet, Pavi Fort has already completed nearly 85% of the work in Sector 1.

Despite these challenges, Lawson said Pavi Fort has already invested over USD 1 million on project variations not included in the original contract. The company is also seeking disbursement from funders based on work completed thus far. Without this, operations may be forced to slow down.

Nonetheless, he confirmed that Pavi Fort is committed to completing major structural components including embankment fills, pump stations, and culverts and is mobilizing additional resources while urging swift resolution of outstanding design and administrative issues.

Regarding the rural road component, Pavi Fort is constructing a 17km access road in Bum Chiefdom under a separate contract signed in January 2024. The completion target is December 2025. The roadwork has reached advanced stages, with 13.5km cleared, 8.66km of undercut and replacement work completed, and 4.1km of sub-base work laid. Base course production is currently at 40%.

Lawson, however, noted that the rural road project also faces significant obstacles. Delays in engaging the supervising consultant led to setbacks in design validation, which affected overall timelines. Additionally, changes in roadbed conditions necessitated new design inputs, resulting in a cost overrun from an initial estimate of USD 3.8 million to over USD 4.2 million.

He assured members of Parliament that Pavi Fort is dedicated to delivering infrastructure of international quality standards and called for stronger collaboration from stakeholders to address design issues and secure timely payments.

In his response, Hon. Sallieu Osman Sesay commended Pavi Fort’s effort and praised the quality of work observed on-site. He described the irrigation project as “marvelous” and a demonstration of Sierra Leonean technical capacity. “What we saw on the ground is impressive. Despite only receiving $3.3 million out of the $10.9 million project budget, Pavi Fort has already executed work worth close to $6 million. That level of commitment deserves recognition,” he said.

Hon. Sesay emphasized the importance of the Torma Bum project to Sierra Leone’s national food security agenda. “This infrastructure will enable multiple harvests during the dry season, which is crucial for achieving the Feed Salone vision,” he stated. He added that Parliament would not only monitor progress but would also advocate for funding and policy support to ensure the project’s success.

He expressed frustration over the delays in fund disbursement from both the government and donor agencies, such as the Islamic Development Bank, and confirmed that the committee would prepare a detailed report for submission to Parliament and relevant stakeholders to push for urgent financial intervention.

Hon. Sesay said according to Pavi Fort the borrow-to-fill component alone jumped from $2.2 million to nearly $8.2 million due to unforeseen site conditions. Yet, he said they have already completed nearly 85% of the work in Sector 1, which is said is commendable.

He concluded by expressing pride in Pavi Fort’s track record, referencing their successful road projects in Kabala, Kenema, and other parts of the country, and reiterated that more support should be given to capable Sierra Leonean firms.

Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the project is completed. He noted that it was his fourth visit to Torma Bum and underscored the strategic importance of the area not only for Bonthe but also for the broader Feed Salone agenda, including projects in Kambia and elsewhere.

Dr. Kpaka expressed satisfaction with Pavi Fort’s performance and acknowledged the concerns raised, particularly regarding delayed disbursements. “We’ve listened to the challenges. As a Ministry, we will engage with all stakeholders to resolve these issues. Our collective aim is the successful delivery of this project, which is essential for Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation,” he concluded.