BIO'S BRIDGE TO PROGRESS: A NEW ERA FOR SIERRA LEONE.

Goodies of the Bio Presidency, Vol. II No. 10, Wednesday, 9th July, 2025.

By Alhaji Abubakarr Bah

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio commissioned the modern Mattru-Senehun Bridge, a significant milestone in Sierra Leone's infrastructure development. This 160-meter bridge, spanning the Jong River, connects Mattru Jong to surrounding regions, including Bo, Moyamba, and Pujehun Districts. By replacing a colonial-era manual ferry system, the bridge provides faster access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities for over 20,000 residents in the Bonthe District, Southern Sierra Leone.

The Mattru-Senehun Bridge is part of the Smallholder Commercialisation and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP), funded by a US$30 million grant from the World Bank. This project aims to improve agricultural productivity, increase access to markets, and enhance the overall quality of life for local communities. The bridge is a testament to President Bio's commitment to building resilient infrastructure and promoting economic growth.

Since taking up office in 2018, President Bio's administration has made significant strides in infrastructure development. The construction of several modern bridges, including the Koblo-Gulama bridge, Gendema Bridge, Manowa Bridge, and Tomparie Bridge, demonstrates the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) government's commitment to improving infrastructure and promoting economic growth.

The Mattru-Senehun Bridge will have a profound impact on the local economy. By reducing travel time and costs, traders and farmers will be able to move goods with ease, promoting economic growth and increasing agricultural productivity. The bridge will also improve access to essential services like healthcare and education, enhancing the overall quality of life for local communities.

Moreover, the bridge will restore dignity and bring hope to local communities, providing a sense of security and stability. As President Bio noted, the Mattru-Senehun Bridge is a legacy that will serve generations, symbolizing a lasting investment in national development and rural transformation.

The Mattru-Senehun Bridge is a show of the tremendous goodies President Bio has brought for the nation and people of Sierra Leone, symbolizing his vision for a prosperous and developed Sierra Leone.

With bridges like this, the country is poised to overcome past challenges and forge a new path to progress and prosperity. As Sierra Leone continues to build on this milestone, it is clear that the future looks bright for the people of Sierra Leone.

The Mattru-Senehun Bridge is a significant milestone in Sierra Leone's infrastructure development. Its benefits will be felt for generations to come, and it is a testament to President Bio's commitment to transforming Sierra Leone into a modern and prosperous nation.

In conclusion, the benefits of the Mattru-Senehun Bridge are numerous, including improved accessibility, enhanced economic opportunities, increased agricultural productivity, restored dignity and hope, and a lasting legacy for future generations. The bridge is a testament to President Bio's commitment to inclusive development, rural connectivity, and agricultural transformation.

And, as T.D. Jakes once said “I like to see myself as a bridge builder, that is me building bridges between people, between races, between cultures, between politics, trying to find common ground.” The numerous bridges President Bio has built across all the regions of the country within the last seven years of his presidency, have also helped in bridging the divide that had long existed between various regions and communities. This has further helped the President’s vision of building a cohesive nation.