On Friday, February 28th, 2025, citizens, residents, and descendants of the lower Tewor District in Grand Cape Mount County officially launched the “Tienii-Sawellor Corridor Self-help Road Rehabilitation Initiative” in Sawellor Town. The launch brought together government representatives, the Cape Mount Legislative caucus, and an array of citizens, residents, and descendants from across the district and country.
During the program, the Project Supervisory and Coordinating Committee Chairman, Mr.
Erasmus Daoda Fahnbulleh, Sr., provided a comprehensive overview of the Tienni-Sawellor Corridor Self-help Road Rehabilitation Initiative. He informed the audience that the corridor was created between 1972 and 1973 under the then leadership of the late Honorable Henry Du Fahnbulleh, Sr., Grand Cape Mount County superintendent, and the late President William R. Tolbert, Jr., respectively.
According to Chairman Fahnbulleh, the 23.3km road has remained unrehabilitated for over thirty years, making it deplorable. He challenged the government to rise to the occasion and buttress the citizens’ actions. He announced a whopping 1 million United States Dollars as the projected cost of rehabilitating the road, which, according to him, will be raised through a combination of citizen contributions, Government support, and potential external funding. He cautioned citizens not to be deterred by the alarming cost and praised the overwhelming support from the diaspora community for the Initiative. The rehabilitation of this road will not only improve transportation but also boost economic activities and enhance the overall quality of life in the community.
The Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Public Works, who represented the Minister of Public Works and the chief lifter of the rally, Honorable Samuka Dunnah, praised the citizens for the Initiative, something he described as a bold step. He reaffirms the government’s responsibility to rehabilitate roads across the country but says the revenue envelope of the national government funds such work. For 2025, Honourable Dunnah said the Madina -Robertsport Road has been approved by the government for pavement, signalling the only approved road project for Grand Cape Mount County for the budget year He apologized for the absence of the Minister, whom he said was engaged with the visiting senior World Bank officials on a tour of Nimba County and the southeastern region.
Deputy Minister Dunnah’s announcement of the government’s commitment to supporting the project was a significant boost. He assured the audience that the Ministry of Public Works would provide Earth-moving equipment and a team of skilled engineers to carry out the rehabilitation work beginning in April. This commitment instilled a sense of reassurance and confidence in the audience, demonstrating the government’s dedication to the project.
Deputy Minister Dunnah, also a son of Tewor District, Grand Cape Mount County, lauded the leadership of the Initiative and the people of Tewor District for their farsightedness, terming the Initiative as outstanding. He reminded the citizens that their role in the rehabilitation process is crucial. They will be responsible for securing 8,500 gallons of diesel fuel needed for the rehabilitation work and maintenance of the equipment. He indicated that the cost of the diesel fuel will be around USD40,000.00 (FORTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS).
In another development, members of the Cape Mount Legislative Caucus welcomed the Initiative in separate remarks, hailing the people of the district for the bold step taken. Their commitment to supporting the Initiative was unwavering, instilling confidence in the audience. Senior Senator Taylor praised the government’s intervention through the Ministry of Public Works, emphasizing its significance for the overall realization of the Initiative.
For her part, Senator Dabah Mabande Varpilah described the citizens’ action as one for other districts in the county to emulate. She said the gathering was the first for citizens to discuss development, not politics or bereavement. The direct representative of electoral District Number 3, Honorable Gbessie Sonni Feika, also hailed her constituents and reassured them that the road project is at the core of her representation The three county representatives pledged 500, 400, and 400 gallons of fuel, respectively, while the two women representatives each made an initial cash contribution of USD500.
At the same time, in a united front, the superintendent of Grand Cape Mount County, Honorable Folley J. Kiatamba, and the Commissioner of Tewor District, Honorable Aaron B. Sambolah led
clan and town chiefs unanimously pledged to work together and mobilize their communities during the road rehabilitation.
The occasion was climaxed by a rally that showcased the citizens’ financial contributions. They raised USD 1,500 and LRD60,000.00 in cash, demonstrating their active involvement and responsibility. The citizens also secured 17 fuel drums in pledges, further reinforcing their commitment to the cause. Their impressive financial contributions impressed the audience with their active involvement and responsibility.
Meanwhile, the organizers have said that the Initiative’s second phase will focus on resource mobilization, which it said is critical. The Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Mobilization used the occasion to call on all citizens and residents of the Tienii-Sawellor belt and beyond, individual philanthropists, and the business communities to support the Initiative financially and in material support. They stressed that continued support and participation are crucial for the success of the project.
