Honourable Mohammed Alpha Jalloh, Member of Parliament for Falaba District under the All People’s Congress (APC), has strongly criticized the government for what he described as “chronic neglect” of the Makeni–Kabala Highway, a vital link connecting the Northern Province to major trade routes across Sierra Leone.
Speaking to journalists, Hon. Jalloh condemned the worsening state of the highway, calling it a “death trap” that endangers lives and cripples the movement of goods and services between Koinadugu and Falaba districts.
According to the opposition lawmaker, a journey that once took an hour and a half now drags on for more than four hours due to deep potholes, erosion, and long stretches of damaged surface. He said the situation has contributed to a rise in accidents, including a recent crash involving a timber truck and a passenger bus carrying nearly 80 people.
“This road is a national embarrassment,” Hon. Jalloh lamented. “People are losing their lives, farmers are losing their produce, and our local economies are being suffocated, yet government continues to look the other way.”
He further argued that despite Falaba and Koinadugu being key food-producing districts that contribute significantly to the national economy, they have been “systematically sidelined” in infrastructure development plans.
Hon. Jalloh accused the Ministry of Works and Public Assets of failing to prioritize the rehabilitation of the highway despite repeated appeals from community leaders, local councils, and transport unions. He warned that continued neglect could isolate the region from the rest of the country, discouraging investment and deepening poverty.
“The government must show fairness in its development agenda,” he emphasized. “We cannot talk about national growth while key regions remain cut off due to deplorable roads. The people of the north deserve better.”
Residents and business owners in both districts have echoed the MP’s concerns, noting that transport costs have doubled, vehicle maintenance expenses have skyrocketed, and access to markets and healthcare facilities has become increasingly difficult.
Hon. Jalloh is urging Parliament to summon the relevant authorities to provide a clear timeline for rehabilitation works and to ensure transparency in how infrastructure funds are allocated across the country.
He concluded by calling on President Julius Maada Bio’s administration to make the reconstruction of the Makeni–Kabala Highway a national priority in the 2026 budget, saying it is essential not only for safety and trade but for the equitable development of Sierra Leone.
