Opposition Chief Whip Slams Government Over Poor Roads and NCRA Failures
On February 13, 2025, the Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, strongly criticized the government for its handling of key national issues during the Presidential Appointees Approval.
He first condemned the deteriorating state of roads, particularly in the Western Area and Northern Regions, blaming the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) for neglecting critical infrastructure. He cited the unfinished regravelling of the road leading to the Chiefdom Headquarters of Munutala, which has been ongoing for five years with no completion in sight. Additionally, he highlighted the dilapidated bridge between Bamoi and Munu, which has tragically claimed at least five lives.
Hon. Kamara also questioned the government’s decision to charge citizens for toll roads that remain under construction with no clear completion date. He warned that by the time the government takes over these roads from the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG), they will be in poor condition due to substandard construction, violating the initial agreement between CRSG and the government.
Turning his attention to the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Hon. Kamara accused the institution of failing to adequately serve citizens. He criticized the recent announcement requiring citizens to acquire their National ID Cards within a specific timeframe, arguing that if it were a voter registration exercise, the NCRA would have deployed teams across the country to ensure full participation. Instead, the agency has restricted registration to specific locations while imposing high fees.
He further stressed the need for a more accessible registration process, ensuring all citizens, especially those in rural areas, can obtain their National ID Cards. He argued that it is unfair for the NCRA to prioritize citizens only during election periods while making essential services difficult to access at other times. He also noted that many institutions now require National ID Cards as a primary identification document, yet the system remains inefficient and inaccessible.
In conclusion, Hon. Kamara called on the government to prioritize the needs of the people, emphasizing that citizens are the true custodians of power and deserve better services and infrastructure.
Media and Communications Unit
