Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially commissioned the Gendema Bridge on Sunday, November 30, 2025, a key infrastructure project designed to connect the Northern and South-Eastern regions of Sierra Leone.
The 125-meter bridge, constructed over the river separating Simbaru and Wandor Chiefdoms in Kenema District, replaces a hazardous hand-operated ferry. That ferry was responsible for frequent accidents and loss of life, particularly among women and children travelling to access markets, schools, and healthcare.
In his commissioning address, President Bio framed the bridge as a critical investment for national transformation. “To transform our economy, we must invest in meaningful infrastructure,” he stated, affirming his government’s policy to replace ferry crossings with bridges. He announced that four bridges have been completed under his administration, with preparations underway for four more.
The President directly linked the project to his government’s flagship “Feed Salone” agricultural initiative, stating that roads and bridges are essential to unlocking productivity. “Most developed countries began with an agricultural revolution. I am also a farmer, and I want all of you to embrace farming,” he encouraged.
He also assured the community that an upgraded road leading to the bridge would be constructed to ensure its utility during heavy rains.
The project was realized with support from international partners, including the World Bank. World Bank Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge, highlighted the bridge’s economic significance for the cocoa, coffee, and oil palm-rich eastern region. He noted that Gendema has become a cosmopolitan town and that the bridge will facilitate access to essential services for thousands.
Other senior officials underscored the bridge’s impact. First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio recalled the “painful years” of lives lost on the river.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka described the structure as “transformational” for farming communities, while Works Minister Dr. Denis Sandy praised the President for constructing “more strategic roads and bridges than any previous administration.”
Paramount Chief Mamie Gbovoh Gamanga IV of Simbaru Chiefdom called the bridge “a symbol of progress and hope,” marking an end to the seasonal tragedies that previously plagued the crossing.
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