NRA Managing Director Details Jimara, Kantora and Tumana Road Project, Urges Community Cooperation

By Seedy Jobe

The Managing Director of the National Roads Authority (National Roads Authority), Mr. Sulayman Sumareh Janneh, has described the newly launched road projects in Jimara, Kantora and Tumana as a “decisive intervention” aimed at improving mobility and easing long-standing access constraints in the region.

He made the remarks on Saturday during President Adama Barrow’s official launch of the projects, which cover Lots 5, 6, and 7 and are expected to be constructed to international standards.

Mr. Janneh said the intervention was designed to transform connectivity in underserved communities. “This project represents a decisive intervention, improving mobility and addressing the long-standing challenges associated with poor road access in this region,” he said.

He stressed that road infrastructure remains central to rural development, particularly for communities reliant on agriculture, trade, education, and healthcare services. “Road infrastructure is fundamental to development,” he noted. “For communities whose livelihoods depend on farming, trade, education, and health services, it determines opportunity.”

According to him, the roads go beyond physical construction works, serving instead as catalysts for broader socio-economic transformation. “The roads launched today are not simply construction work; they are enablers of productivity, social inclusion, and economic resilience,” he said.

On the technical aspects, Mr. Janneh outlined a multi-layered construction approach that includes detailed surveying, stable road formation, engineered pavement layers, and a sealed double surface treatment. He said the design is intended to ensure all-year accessibility, reduce dust, enhance road safety, and lower vehicle operating costs.

He also highlighted drainage as a key priority, noting that side drains, cross culverts, and erosion control measures would be installed to manage stormwater and protect the road network.

Safety features, he added, would include road signage, speed control measures in settlement areas, and clear demarcation of carriageways.

Mr. Janneh further called on residents of Tumana, Jimara, and Kantora to cooperate fully during the construction phase and to take ownership of the infrastructure once completed.

“I urge the communities of Tumana, Jimara and Kantora to cooperate fully during construction and to protect these road assets once completed,” he said. “By safeguarding drains, respecting road reserves, and encouraging responsible use, these roads will serve generations to come.”