Kono MP Describes Yeikuma Bridge as a Death Trap
By Musa Paul Feika
An opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Lucinda Finda Kellie, representing Kono District, has described the Yeikuma Bridge in Kono District as a “death trap.” She called on President Julius Maada Bio to send a team of engineers to supervise and monitor its construction.
Hon. Kellie made this statement on Monday, 26th November 2024, during the parliamentary debate on the 2025 National Budget. The 25-meter bridge connects Samaria to Sando in Kono District.
According to Hon. Kellie, the bridge collapsed during construction, and instead of reconstructing it, the engineers hired to work on the project are merely repairing the damaged structure. She expressed serious concerns over this approach, calling it unsafe for the people of Kono.
She criticized the delay in completing the bridge, noting that it was initially expected to be finished by 2025. However, due to the slow progress of the project under the ruling party, the bridge remains incomplete.
Hon. Kellie thanked the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ahmed Fatamadi Bangura, for including the project in the 2025 budget. However, she lamented that the project has been consistently mentioned in successive budgets without tangible results.
“The people of Kono want to see this project materialize. They are tired of seeing it in black and white; they want implementation and reality,” Hon. Kellie emphasized.
She raised concerns about the ongoing construction, stressing that if proper monitoring is not conducted, the bridge could pose a significant danger to the district.
“The Yeikuma Bridge, Mr. Speaker, is a death trap. Repairing the collapsed structure instead of reconstructing it is not acceptable,” she said.
Hon. Kellie urged President Bio to dispatch a team of engineers to oversee the construction and ensure the safety of the bridge, warning that any calamity would ultimately fall under the President’s responsibility.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to build bridges across the country to enhance connectivity, Hon. Kellie reiterated her concerns about the safety and quality of the Yeikuma Bridge.
Addressing other issues in the budget, Hon. Kellie discussed the reduction of energy subsidies outlined on page 15 of the document. She argued that reducing these subsidies could significantly benefit the government by lowering expenditures and boosting revenue collection.
She called on President Bio to reduce subsidies on energy and rice, arguing that the current subsidies are making life unbearable for many Sierra Leoneans.
“Many people cannot afford electricity bills due to the high costs, which could lead to regression for the country,” she concluded.
Hon. Kellie’s passionate plea highlights the urgent need for government accountability and prioritization of projects critical to the safety and well-being of citizens.
