The construction of the long-awaited Lungi Bridge will not proceed under the current administration, according to recent statements made by Presidential Spokesperson Alhaji Alpha Kanu.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at the Administrative Building in Parliament, Kanu clarified that the project is not included in President Julius Maada Bio’s present priorities.
Kanu revealed that while discussions had occurred between the government and potential investors regarding the bridge’s construction, the financial feasibility of the $2 billion project has been questioned.
He noted that the limited traffic between Lungi and Freetown does not justify such a significant investment.
Though the bridge, if built, would likely operate as a toll bridge, Kanu emphasized that the government is continuing negotiations with investors to explore alternative terms. Nonetheless, the bridge is no longer a central focus for the administration.
Instead, Kanu underscored the government’s commitment to the “Big 5 Game Changers,” which will take precedence over the next four years, marking a shift away from the bridge project.
The Lungi Bridge had been a major promise during President Bio’s 2018 campaign, generating considerable anticipation. At one point, preparations for a launch event were underway, with supporters eagerly awaiting the commencement of construction.
However, as time has passed, the enthusiasm surrounding the bridge project has diminished, drawing comparisons to the unfulfilled promises of former President Tejan Kabbah, who also proposed the bridge but never saw it come to fruition.
Residents of Lungi, who have long struggled with unreliable ferry services and rising transportation costs, have expressed disappointment with the government’s change in focus, feeling that their concerns have once again been overlooked.
