By Yusufu S. Bangura
The road to Fourah Bay College (FBC), one of Sierra Leone’s oldest and most esteemed institutions of learning, has become a site of danger and frustration for the students and staff who travel it daily.
The road, which stretches from Model Junction to the FBC campus, is now widely referred to as a “death trap” due to its dilapidated state, leading to frequent accidents, particularly involving motorbikes.
Fourah Bay College, established in 1827 and known for its historical significance in West African education, is home to more than 4,000 students. But despite its legacy, the road leading to its campus has been left in severe disrepair, causing widespread concern and frustration among students, staff, and residents of the area.
“It’s shocking that a major road leading to one of our country’s proudest institutions could be left like this,” said Isata Conteh, a second-year student at FBC. “Every day we risk our lives traveling up this road, especially on motorbikes. We’ve seen too many accidents, and it feels like no one cares about our safety.”
Local resident Hassan Smith, who lives near Model Junction, described the road conditions as “alarming.” According to him, potholes, erosion, and narrow paths make the road difficult, particularly during the rainy season when the conditions worsen. “It’s a tragedy waiting to happen,” he stated. “We see young students getting injured on their way to and from campus, and it breaks our hearts.”
Assanatu Jalloh, a final year student echoed these sentiments, noting that many students feel abandoned by local authorities. “We’ve tried to reach out and raise awareness about the state of the road,” she said. “But there’s been little action.
It’s frustrating to think that the future leaders of Sierra Leone have to go through this every day. We are asking for urgent intervention.
The government needs to show commitment to higher education by making safe access to our colleges a priority,” Jalloh added. “Fourah Bay College’s reputation is a national pride, and this road should reflect that.”
As calls for action grow louder, many are hoping that the Freetown City Council and relevant authorities will respond to the urgency of the situation.
The road, which serves as a vital link between the campus and the city, has been a longstanding issue, but recent increases in accidents have made the need for repairs more pressing.
