The Toll Gate Transparency Crisis in Sierra Leone
The people of Sierra Leone deserve clarity, honesty, and accountability from both their government and its partners. Yet, when it comes to the revenue generated from the Toll Gate operated by China Railway Seventh Group, what we see instead is silence, secrecy, and evasion. This failure is not just administrative negligence it is a betrayal of public trust.
The People’s Right to Know:
Revenue from the Toll Gate is not private money; it is public wealth collected directly from citizens. Every vehicle that passes contributes to a fund meant to support infrastructure, improve road safety, and strengthen national development. When the government and China Railway Seventh Group refuse to disclose how much is collected, how it is managed, and where it is spent, they deny Sierra Leoneans their fundamental right to know how their contributions are being used.
Accountability in Question:
The absence of transparent reporting raises troubling questions:
-How much revenue has been generated since the Toll Gate’s inception?
-What percentage is retained by the foreign contractor versus reinvested in Sierra Leone?
-Why are citizens not provided with audited reports or clear financial statements?
Without answers, suspicions of mismanagement, corruption, or exploitation naturally grow. Accountability is not optional it is the cornerstone of governance.
Erosion of Public Trust:
Every day, Sierra Leoneans pay at the Toll Gate with the expectation that their money will serve the nation. Instead, they are met with silence. This lack of transparency erodes trust in both the government and its foreign partners. It fuels resentment and undermines the legitimacy of public institutions. A government that cannot account for public funds risks losing the confidence of the very people it serves.
The Demand for Answers
The public demand is clear: disclose the revenue figures, publish audited accounts, and explain how the funds are being used. Anything less is unacceptable. Sierra Leoneans are not asking for favors they are demanding accountability for money that belongs to them.
The Toll Gate was meant to symbolize progress and modern infrastructure. Instead, it has become a symbol of secrecy and unaccountability. The government of Sierra Leone and China Railway Seventh Group must break their silence. Transparency is not a privilege it is a duty. The people demand answers, and they will not be silenced.