Freetown, 8th October 2025 – The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), through its Directorate of Risk Reduction and Preparedness, has conducted a detailed structural risk assessment of the seven-storey Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) building located at the Wilkinson Road–Aberdeen Road junction in Freetown.
The exercise followed reports of visible signs of deterioration posing serious safety concerns for both occupants and the general public.
The assessment revealed that the building is in a dilapidated condition, requiring urgent structural maintenance to avert a potential disaster. The assessment also identified major cracks across several sections of the structure, weakened beams, and extensive water seepage. These factors have severely compromised the building’s structural integrity and stability.
During the visit, the Director of Risk Reduction and Preparedness, Ing. Maada Salia, reaffirmed NDMA’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, noting that early detection and timely intervention are key to preventing avoidable disasters.
“The current state of the building, coupled with the number of people who use it daily, demands immediate attention to guarantee public safety,” Ing. Salia emphasized.
The assessment team also engaged Ing. Noel Domigo, the resident engineer of the building, along with other occupants. They were sensitized on immediate safety precautions, including the partial evacuation of high-risk areas, restriction of access to structurally compromised floors, and the adoption of temporary safety measures pending comprehensive rehabilitation works.
In response, Ing. Domigo disclosed that plans are already underway for comprehensive structural maintenance of the building. He assured the NDMA team that the safety of occupants and visitors remains a top priority and that systems have been put in place to ensure continued safety.
Also part of the team was NDMA’s Senior Communications Officer, Vamba Ansumana Konneh, who pointed out that NDMA’s work is not only to respond to disasters. He stressed that the Agency’s primary role focuses on prevention, preparedness, and resilience building. He further stated that proactive assessments of this nature are crucial for safeguarding lives and ensuring the sustainability of both public and private infrastructure.
The NDMA continues to urge all property owners, both public and private, to conduct routine structural inspections and prioritize maintenance as essential measures for protecting lives and property.
