MAKENI–KABALA HIGHWAY: A DEATH TRAP LEFT TO ROT
By: Gibrilla Kamara
The once-bustling Makeni–Kabala Highway—a vital route linking two politically symbolic cities—has become a dangerous death trap, following years of neglect under the Bio-led government.
During an intense parliamentary debate on October 14, 2025, Hon. Hamid Holla Mansaray, Member of Parliament for Koinadugu District, lambasted the government for its continued failure to rehabilitate the road, describing it as “a deadly trap stifling national development and isolating northern communities.”
Hon. Mansaray accused the administration of turning a blind eye to critical infrastructure needs in the region, arguing that the highway’s decay represents a deliberate act of political neglect.
“The Makeni–Kabala highway is no longer just a bad road; it is a national shame,” he declared. “This government has abandoned our people and ignored the development of Koinadugu, Falaba, Kabala, and Makeni.”
Once a lifeline for trade and transportation, the Makeni–Kabala highway is now riddled with potholes, erosion, and craters, making travel perilous. Residents lament long travel delays, frequent accidents, and economic decline as commerce slows to a crawl.
Despite millions of dollars being poured into pet projects in President Bio’s political strongholds, the highway connecting these northern districts—largely considered opposition territories—has been left to deteriorate beyond recognition.
Hon. Mansaray urged the government to match rhetoric with action under its “Feed Salone” initiative, insisting that real national growth demands inclusive development, not selective investment.
“The neglect of the Makeni–Kabala road is an affront to national unity,” Mansaray stressed. “Political favoritism has no place in modern governance. The people deserve roads, not excuses.”
The debate has reignited public anger across the north, with many viewing the decaying highway as a symbol of state neglect—and a stark reminder of the growing regional divide under the current administration.