Freetown, 2 July 2026 – The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, intensified its disaster risk reduction operations through various site inspections across Freetown, targeting illegal developments, environmental encroachment, and other hazardous practices that pose significant risks to lives, property, and critical national infrastructure.
The risk reduction exercise was led by the Deputy Director General of NDMA, Suleiman B. Sowa, which is part of the Agency’s proactive efforts to identify and address potential hazards before they escalate into disasters.
The first stop was the premises of Sea Coach Travelling Agency following reports that the company had encroached upon the coastline and commenced the unauthorised construction of a petrol station adjacent to the sea. The NDMA team engaged the company’s management, which is led by Madam Kadijah Williams, to discuss the serious environmental and public safety implications of the development.
During the engagement, DDG Sowa expressed serious concern over the potential threat the unauthorised development poses to the Aberdeen Bridge, the marine ecosystem, and surrounding communities. He directed the management to immediately suspend all construction activities pending the necessary regulatory assessments and approvals.
He further urged the management to report individuals who routinely use dynamite for fishing in the area, warning that the repeated underwater explosions could gradually compromise the structural integrity of the bridge and pose a significant risk to public safety.
Both parties agreed to hold a follow-up meeting to comprehensively address the concerns and ensure that all future actions comply with environmental and safety regulations.
The team later proceeded to the Milton Margai Junction, Godrich, after receiving reports that an individual had begun clearing the designated right-of-way for the construction of a petrol station. The individual was invited to the NDMA headquarters to assist with further investigations.
While assessing the area, the team also discovered another unapproved petrol station project directly opposite the site. In response, NDMA immediately issued a Stop Work Notice to halt all construction activities pending the necessary regulatory assessments and approvals.
At Pike Street, the team encountered a large quantity of soil and garbage that had been indiscriminately dumped onto the roadway, creating a serious environmental hazard and increasing the risk of flooding and other public safety concerns.
DDG Sowa engaged Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed S.K. Fayia, Director of Security and Operations at the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, and highlighted the dangers posed by the indiscriminate dumping of waste at the site. In response, Lieutenant Colonel Fayia assured the NDMA that the Correctional Service would provide the necessary security to prevent further illegal dumping and ensure that the area is protected from future environmental hazards.
The team further visited Kingtom Bridge, where they inspected both ends of the structure and discovered several makeshift structures erected on and around the bridge, placing additional stress on the critical infrastructure and posing potential safety risks.
Addressing one of the occupants, The Deputy Director of Risk Reduction and Preparedness, Gerald King, explained to the residents that the continued occupation and added weight could compromise the structural stability of the bridge, potentially endangering thousands of road users. He advised the occupant to voluntarily remove the structure in the interest of public safety.
Speaking at the conclusion of the exercise, DDG Sowa reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering commitment to preventing disasters before they occur.
He said: “Disasters do not happen by chance; they are often the result of unsafe human actions, negligence, and disregard for established regulations. NDMA will not stand by while lives and critical national infrastructure are placed at risk. Our responsibility is not only to respond to disasters but, more importantly, to prevent them through timely inspections, enforcement of safety standards, and continuous public engagement. We call on every citizen and institution to become partners in protecting our communities by complying with the law and prioritising safety above convenience.”
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Email: mohamedlbah@ndma.gov.sl
Website: www.ndma.gov.sl
