Moawoma Residents Raise Concern Over Delay in Kenema–Zimmi Highway Rehabilitation

Residents of Moawoma, a settlement comprising five chiefdoms along the Kenema–Zimmi corridor, have expressed growing frustration over the continued delay in the commencement of rehabilitation and regraveling works on the Kenema–Zimmi Highway, months after the official project handover.

The Government of Sierra Leone had on March 13, 2026, formally handed over the 87-kilometre Kenema–Zimmi Road project to contractors, including HUTA-Golden Quarry (SL) Ltd, describing it as a major intervention aimed at improving transportation, boosting trade, and strengthening regional connectivity across the South and Eastern corridors.

However, residents and road users say there has been no visible rehabilitation activity on the ground since the ceremony, raising concerns over what they describe as a lack of follow-through on a critical infrastructure commitment.

Community stakeholders, commercial drivers, traders, and motorcycle riders have reportedly expressed disappointment over the situation, with some labelling the delay as a “political gimmick” intended to ease public pressure without immediate implementation.

According to locals, the current condition of the highway continues to severely affect daily life and economic activity. They report increased travel time, frequent vehicle breakdowns, and disruptions in the transportation of agricultural produce between Kenema, Zimmi, and surrounding communities.

Many residents said they had initially welcomed the announcement with optimism, expecting construction work to begin shortly after the official handover. The prolonged delay, they argue, is now eroding public confidence in government infrastructure commitments.

Government officials had earlier indicated that the project would not only improve road accessibility but also create jobs for local communities and stimulate economic activities once completed.

Residents of Moawoma are now calling on the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the Road Maintenance Fund Administration, and the contractor to urgently mobilize equipment and begin visible works on the highway before the onset of the rainy season further worsens its already deteriorated condition.

The Kenema–Zimmi Highway remains a key transport artery linking major agricultural and commercial zones in eastern and southern Sierra Leone, making its rehabilitation a critical priority for affected communities