Handover Meeting for Bo District, Boama Station to Ngelehun Badjia Feeder Road Project.

Connecting Communities: Bo District Feeder Road Handover

The ILO Opportunity Salone Project together with the European Union (EU) is strengthening key value chains cassava, vegetables, and palm oil by ensuring feeder roads are maintained for easier market access. In Bo District, the road from Boama Station to Ngelehun Badjia had been in need of repair, limiting trade, mobility, and access to services. To address this, five SME contractors were selected to rehabilitate 18.6 kilometres of road, employing 274 workers and improving opportunities for women and youth in the process

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Meet the Project Partners

The handover meeting brought together delegates from the European Union (EU), including Federico Capurro, Food System and Digitalization Programme Manager for the Rural Development and Infrastructure Unit, and Stephane, Head of Cooperation. Members of the Technical Project Advisory Committee (TPAC), Co-Chairman Sheika Sannoh and member Ahmed Nanoh, also participated. The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) was represented by Senior Engineer Samuel J. Maculey from SLRA headquarters in Freetown and Paul Demby, Director of Feeder Roads. From the ILO, participants included Austin Nguku, Technical Officer, and Amadu Sajor Jalloh, Feeder Roads Engineer, while the Bo District Council was represented by Civil Works Engineer Mohamed Feika.

The Contractors and Timeline

Five SME contractors have been selected to carry out the rehabilitation of the 18.6- kilometre road.

• Hajjfan Enterprise, managed by Likeleli Margerette Naleli, will rehabilitate 4.4 km.

• Deprime Investment Construction and General Supplies, managed by Mustapher B. D. Feika, will work on another 4.4 km.

• Coastal Construction and General Supply Services Company Limited, managed by Ramond H. Bindi, will rehabilitate 3.5 km.

• Isha & Fatima Trading and Construction Enterprise, managed by Kadie M. Woodie, will work on 3.2 km,

• Mariat & Sons, managed by Abubakarr Sesay, will complete 3.1 km.

Construction is scheduled to begin on 1st October 2025 and conclude by 28th February 2026, making it a five-month project.

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Improved Access, Stronger Livelihoods

The Boama Station to Ngelehun Badjia Feeder Road Project will boost local economies by improving accessibility, lowering transport costs, and linking farmers to larger markets. It will create 274 jobs for local residents, including youth and women, enhance access to schools, health facilities, and markets, and empower SME contractors through labour-based methods, strengthening local capacity and promoting sustainable infrastructure development in Sierra Leone

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Community and Stakeholder Support

Opening the ceremony, Mohamed Feika, Civil Works Engineer for Bo District Council, welcomed participants and highlighted the project’s role in boosting trade, mobility, and rural development. EU, SLRA, TPAC, and SME contractors expressed appreciation and reaffirmed their commitment to inclusive implementation. ILO Technical Officer Austin Nguku emphasized job creation for women, men, and persons with disabilities, supporting decent work and inclusive growth. The session closed with Councillor Sidikie John Nyama stressing the need for continued partnerships, while Federico Capurro and Stephane from the EU reaffirmed their support for community- driven infrastructure development

Why It Matters

The Boama Station to Ngelehun Badjia project shows how collaboration between the ILO, EU, SLRA, and local councils can deliver real community benefits by improving roads, boosting market access, creating jobs, and supporting sustainable rural development in Sierra Leone.

Key Figures

• Road length: 18.6 km

• SMEs engaged: 5 contractors

• Employment: 274 local workers

• Construction duration: 5 months (1st October 2025 – 28th February 2026)