The Real Issues Behind the Substandard Wellington-Masiaka Road |

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In response to the growing public outcry over the deteriorating condition of the Wellington-Masiaka Toll Road, China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) recently issued a statement defending their work. While the company sought to attribute the road’s poor state to external factors such as heavy rainfall, deforestation and citizen behavior, this response falls short of addressing the core issues raised by Sierra Leonean citizens.

The primary concern expressed by road users and stakeholders alike is that the Wellington-Masiaka Road, just a few years after its completion, is already plagued by potholes and structural damages. This is not a trivial issue—it’s a failure that undermines the very purpose of the project, which was intended to provide a durable and reliable infrastructure to support Sierra Leone’s economic growth.

CRSG’s statement highlights several external factors contributing to road damage, such as the heavy rains during the country’s  rainy season, deforestation in Freetown and improper waste disposal by citizens. While these issues undoubtedly play a role in the overall infrastructure challenges faced by the country, they should not be used as a blanket excuse for the substandard quality of the Wellington-Masiaka Road.

The citizens of Sierra Leone have a right to expect that a road built with substantial investment and long-term financial commitments will meet acceptable quality standards. The presence of potholes and other damages so soon after construction suggests that CRSG may have cut corners or failed to adhere to the highest construction standards. These are issues that cannot simply be blamed on external factors.

Moreover, CRSG’s defense does not address the apparent lack of robust oversight during the construction phase. The Ministry of Works and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) have a responsibility to ensure that projects of this magnitude are executed with precision and care. The fact that the Wellington-Masiaka Road is already showing signs of significant wear and tear raises serious questions about the effectiveness of these oversight mechanisms.

Many of the issues highlighted by CRSG as contributing to the road’s deterioration could have been mitigated or prevented through proactive measures during the planning and construction phases. For example:

Drainage Systems: CRSG mentions the heavy rainfall as a major cause of road damage. However, a well-designed and maintained drainage system could significantly reduce the impact of rainwater on the road. If CRSG had prioritized the development of effective drainage infrastructure, the road would likely be in a much better state today.

Soil Stabilization: The company cites deforestation and soil erosion as factors leading to road damage. Again, this points to a lack of foresight during the construction phase. Proper soil stabilization techniques, such as the use of retaining walls and erosion control measures, could have minimized these effects.

Heavy Traffic and Overloading: CRSG’s acknowledgment of heavy and overloaded vehicles causing road damage highlights another area where preventive measures could have been implemented. The construction of more robust road surfaces designed to withstand high traffic loads, combined with stricter enforcement of load limits, could have significantly extended the road’s lifespan.

The citizens of Sierra Leone deserve better. The Wellington-Masiaka Road was a major investment, both in terms of financial resources and the future of the country’s infrastructure. The fact that it is already failing to meet expectations is unacceptable. CRSG’s response, while providing some context, does not absolve the company of its responsibility to deliver a road that meets the needs and expectations of the Sierra Leonean people.

It is now up to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Works and the SLRA to hold CRSG accountable for the substandard work and to ensure that immediate and comprehensive repairs are carried out. Moreover, there needs to be a transparent review of the entire construction process to identify where failures occurred and how similar issues can be prevented in future projects.

The Wellington-Masiaka Toll Road was envisioned as a symbol of progress for Sierra Leone. It is time for all parties involved to step up and ensure that this vision is realized—not just in rhetoric, but in the quality and durability of the infrastructure itself.

More details in subsequent edition.