Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr visited a grieving family at Col Wata in New England Ville on Friday, following the devastating floods that claimed the lives of at least three family members, and a missing 1-year-old girl.
The Mayor’s visit brought renewed attention to the ongoing challenges of unplanned urban growth and the lack of effective building controls in the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown.
The affected community, perched on steep hillsides with no road access, is among many in Freetown where homes have been built informally and without proper planning. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr reflected on the city’s widespread lack of land use planning, noting that over 55% of Freetown’s built environment suffers from similar conditions where essential infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and waste management are inadequate or nonexistent.
“This tragedy underscores the dangers posed by unregulated construction and the absence of proper urban planning,” she said. The Mayor pointed out that many houses are constructed on steep slopes and in flood-prone areas, with deforestation removing natural barriers that would otherwise reduce runoff and landslides.
Freetown’s rapid population growth, driven largely by rural-urban migration, has led to widespread informal settlements. The absence of an effective building permit system means many buildings encroach on waterways and vulnerable slopes, increasing the risk of disasters during heavy rains.
The situation is further exacerbated by climate change, with the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLMet) forecasting above-average rainfall this wet season. The Mayor referenced similar extreme weather events that have caused severe floods and landslides in countries like Pakistan, India, China, and Brazil in recent months.
She called attention to the need for greater local authority over land use and building regulations, noting that these mandates currently rest with the Ministry of Lands. She stressed that devolving these responsibilities to local councils, as proposed in a pending Land Bill in Parliament, would allow for more integrated city management and help prevent future tragedies.
Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of their loved ones and faces the harsh reality of living in a city where informal, unregulated development continues to put lives at risk.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
