By Mustapha Jallow
The once-bustling Wellingara Coastal Road has now turned into a treacherous path for drivers, who are calling on the government to urgently address the worsening condition of the road.
Dotted with gaping potholes, the road connects key areas such as Tabokoto, Latrikunda Sabiji, Bundung, Sukuta, and the main Berti Herding Highway to the Airport. However, it has become a source of frustration and financial strain for drivers who face daily damages to their vehicles.
Many drivers have labeled the potholes “crocodile homes,” describing them as hazards that lie in wait to destroy their cars. Karamba Samateh, a 29-year-old taxi driver, attributes the road’s deteriorating condition to poor drainage. His taxi has been in the mechanic’s workshop for two months after getting stuck in a deep pothole filled with rainwater.
“I haven’t been able to use my car for months now. The stagnant water got into the engine, and now it won’t start,” lamented Samateh. “Whenever it rains, the road floods and our cars suffer the consequences.”
Other drivers, like Babucarr Jobe, share similar frustrations. “The roads are so bad that I visit mechanics every week for repairs that could have been avoided. This is a huge financial burden for us,” Jobe expressed, adding that the government’s failure to fix the road is disappointing.
“They know how bad this road is, but instead of fixing it for the sake of the public, politicians are too busy fighting each other. Are we really serious as a nation?” Jobe asked angrily. “With every rain, the condition of the road worsens, causing traffic jams and damage to cars. I call on the authorities to act immediately before it’s too late.”
Lamin Sey, a car park supervisor, explained how the once-small potholes have now grown into mini-pools due to government negligence. “The state is aware, yet they do nothing, and it’s the people who suffer. These holes are getting deeper every day, and soon, parts of the road might become impassable.”
Despite significant annual budget allocations to infrastructure development, residents and commuters are questioning why the state of the roads remains abysmal. Binta Saidy, a market-goer, voiced her frustrations as well. “Vehicles keep breaking down after using this road, making it hard for us passengers to reach our destinations. Many drivers have stopped using this route altogether because of the damage it causes to their cars.”
Residents of Wellingara and surrounding areas are also impacted. Many struggle to reach work places or schools on time due to the poor state of the road. Both drivers and passengers are pleading with the government to repair the road and ease their burden.
When approached for comment, Arfang M.S. Camara, Communications Officer for the National Road Authority (NRA), confirmed that the authority is aware of the issues. “We are waiting for the rainy season to end before we begin repairs. If we fix the potholes now, the rains will wash away the repairs,” Camara said, without providing further details.
As drivers and commuters continue to bear the brunt of Wellingara’s deteriorating road, all eyes are now on the authorities to see if action will be taken once the rains subside.
