Sierra Leone officially launches Le214 Billion Moyamba-Moyamba Junction roads project
The Government of Sierra Leone accompanied by the European Union on Tuesday 24th May officially launched the Le214 billion (EUR 40.7) Moyamba - Moyamba Junction roads project in the Southern province. The EU support will provide for the rehabilitation of four bridges in the country and a 33 kilometres road between Moyamba and Moyamba junction in the Southern province.
At the occasion His Excellency President Koroma said, "The focus of my government's infrastructural programme is to provide safe, reliable and sustainable national and international road networks. In addition to the Bandajuma- Liberia Border Road and Bridges Project; the reconstruction of the Moyamba Junction - Moyamba Town Road and four two-lane bridges including the Magbele and Mabang Bridges will significantly help to rekindle the country's social and economic growth. These projects constitute the biggest road infrastructural development in Sierra Leone’s history and I deeply appreciate that the European Union has once again partnered with my Government in fulfilling an enduring aspiration of the people of Sierra Leone."
Ambassador Peter Versteeg, Head of Delegation of the European Union said, "The EU continues to make a significant contribution to the development of infrastructure in Sierra Leone improving access of citizens to services and markets and generating employment. This project will serve to reduce travel time, accidents and vehicle operating costs between Moyamba district and Freetown as well as improve the road link from Freetown to Conakry and to the Northern Province via a new two-lane Magbele bridge".
The Moyamba – Moyamba Junction Road and Bridges Rehabilitation project is financed under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) and it is divided into two components. The first is the rehabilitation of the 33 km road between Moyamba and Moyamba Junction which will be upgraded to a class 1 paved road. This will include the rehabilitation of two smaller bridges, one over Gbangbaya River spanning 36 metres and another over Yambatui River with a 42 metres span.
The second component includes the construction of a two lane bridge with a span of 163 metres over the Rokel River (Magbele Bridge) and a new two lane bridge spanning 231 metres across the Ribi River (Mabang Bridge). The execution of works is expected to last for about two years.
The project reinforces the European Union's commitment to support the Government of Sierra Leone in its efforts to deliver infrastructural development.
*****
The framework of development cooperation between Sierra Leone and the European Union dates back to the 1970's graduating into the current Cotonou Partnership Agreement which continues until 2020. Under the 10th EDF Sierra Leone received a total of EUR 301 million in the form of grants. This figure has been topped-up with an initial amount of EUR 376 million under the 11th EDF for the period 2014 to 2020.
Under the 11th European Development Fund (EUR 376 million), Sierra Leone will benefit from EU support and financing for the areas of infrastructure, education, agriculture and governance, in addition to opportunities for regional infrastructure and economic integration under the regional indicative programme for West Africa, which will bring on stream some EUR 1.15 billion for the region.
The European Union, through the European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management (DG ECHO), the Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development and through the EU Member States remains a major donor for the Government of Sierra Leone's Ebola Response and Recovery programmes.