By: Haruna Kuyateh
Kerewan Area Council (KAC) and CSE Construction Company have finally connected Niumi Bakalarr and Hakalang Highway following the execution of a 1.5km road rehabilitation project.
The rehabilitation of the 1.5km road has long remained a priority for the communities of Bakalarr, Medina Sedia, NemaKunku and Mademba Kunda.
The state of the road had posed a nightmare to people and businesses as it was not only unmotorable but exposed users to several risks.
Chairman of Kerewan Area Council, Papa Tunkara, told The Voice in Kerewan that the road rehabilitation work was the initiative of his council following complaints from the people through their Ward Councillor Alagie K. Saho, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of KAC.
Chairman Tunkara said it’s part of KAC’s mandate to look for partners, who can work and support the council to respond to the development needs of taxpayers.
He thanked the management of CSE for their “invaluable” support to his office since he assumed responsibilities, citing the road rehabilitation works in Farafenni, Kuntair and Kerr Amadou as well as the recent Bakalarr-Hakalang Highway within the “shortest period”. All these, he pointed out, demonstrated the strong partnership that was established between the two institutions.
KAC chairman meantime called on development partners, agencies, and organizations to come forward and support development initiatives and the council’s transformative agenda.
Councillor of Medina Ward, Alagie K. Saho Ward, described the intervention by Kerewan Area Council as historic and timely, noting that his people have been suffering for years, especially during the rainy season.
He lamented that the poor condition of the road had serious economic, health, educational, and social impacts on communities.
Vice Chairman Saho noted that the work has now eased the transportation of the sick to Essau District Hospital and reduced commuting time.
Bakalarr resident Yusupha Sonko thanked KAC for the foresight in engaging CSE to support the council “at this difficult moment”.
Meanwhile, the road rehabilitation was not part of the contractual agreement over the ongoing Hakalang road project.
