The Sierra Leone Railways Development and Regulatory Authority (SLRDRA), on Thursday, 9th October, 2026, held a one-day stakeholder workshop to validate its Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, aimed at restoring the national railway system and promoting safe, efficient and sustainable railway and cable car transport.
Opening the meeting, the Director-General Ing. Dr. Albert Forde said stakeholder input was essential as the newly established Authority strengthens its institutional and operational foundations.
The Deputy Director-General, Mr. George Simeon Songu, welcomed participants on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff, noting that their contributions would help improve the plan.
Presenting the draft strategic plan, the Director of Environmental Compliance, Ing. Abdul Kaadiru Kallon, outlined five strategic pillars: operationalising the Authority; mobilising revenue and ensuring financial sustainability; developing railway and cable car regulations; preparing a National Railway Master Plan; and advancing priority projects.
He stated that the proposed master plan would cover fourteen(14) interconnected corridors spanning approximately 1,900 kilometres, with the Kasafoni–Banana Island corridor identified as a priority.
Stakeholders raised issues concerning public-private partnerships, the separation of regulatory and project implementation functions, railway safety, land acquisition, nationwide cable car planning, agricultural connectivity, international development alignment, funding and environmental sustainability.
The representative from the National Investment Board recommended stronger PPP governance, essential access and safety rules before corridor structuring, independent investment review, and safeguards for the Bauya–Waterloo section and Western Area approach. He also proposed reviewing the draft investment budget and implementation timetable.
The representative from the Ministry of Finance stressed the need for a credible funding plan and risk assessment, while the representative from the Environmental Protection Agency urged the Authority to ensure that railway development benefits extend beyond mining to support a broader and more sustainable economy. Other stakeholders called for clarification of institutional responsibilities and closer coordination among relevant public bodies.
The Representative from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, asked if the concentration of the Authority is on the regulatory aspect but also oversees the implementation of the cable cars.
The Representative from the Ministry of Justice,drew an observation from Page 26. 3.5 of the document about the institution’s comprehensive mapping, but nothing about the office of the Attorney General was mentioned. And the issue of acquiring land should be directed to the Land Commission.
The Representative from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, thanked the technical team for putting together an excellent draft of the Strategic Plan; however, the plan needs to be clear, and its alignment needs to be connected to the international framework.
The Representative from the Environmental Protection Agency, asked about the sustainability of the railway because the Draft Strategic Plan focuses primarily on mining, and mining is not sustainable. The Representative from the National Railway Museum, discussed the safety and security standards of a bilateral session and the presentation of shared documents.
The Representative from the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, asked if the target for the cable cars is only for Freetown or if it is a National plan because of the Electricity power connectivity in the Provincial Areas.
At the close of the meeting, Mr. Samuel Morgan, representing the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, and Ms. Adama Boima, Esq., of the Ministry of Justice, moved a motion to adopt the Draft Strategic Plan.
The Deputy Director-General, Mr. Songu, thanked stakeholders for their contributions.
CONCLUSION AND AGREEMENT: The meeting concluded with a motion to adopt the Draft Five-Year Strategic Plan, alongside stakeholder recommendations for strengthening its regulatory arrangements, financing, project governance, environmental safeguards and national development focus. These recommendations are to inform the Authority’s continued refinement of the document.
The meeting record confirms that the motion was moved, but does not state whether it was formally carried or whether the revised plan received final approval.
Prepared by: Mariama Iyatunde Mansare, Public Relations Officer, Sierra Leone Railways Development and Regulatory Authority (SLRDRA)
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