Sierra Leone’s National Fire Force (NFF) has received 15 solar lights donated by Alfred Ayodele Thompson, a member of parliament for Western Urban District, to improve emergency response capacity across the country.
The donation, handed over on Monday at the NFF headquarters in Freetown, is part of Thompson’s broader project to install 300 solar lights in communities and institutions across Western Urban District. Each of the country’s 15 fire stations will receive one solar light, valued at NLe 1,700 ($67), to support night operations.
“At night, the Fire Force must fill their tanks to respond swiftly and save lives. These solar lights will help improve their effectiveness,” Thompson said at the ceremony.
Chief Fire Officer Nazir Ahmad Alie Kamanda Bongay welcomed the donation as a rare but vital contribution. “Honourable Thompson took the time to count our 15 fire stations and ensured each was provided for. We are grateful for his leadership and commitment,” Bongay said, adding that the lights would be installed immediately and maintained.
Thompson has also distributed solar lights to communities including Lumley, Aberdeen, Murray Town, Wilberforce, Tengbeh Town, Congo Town, Dwarzack and Sumaila Town, as well as several police stations. The initiative follows his donation of artificial turf to Congo Town during Eid-Ul-Fitr earlier this year.
By Charles Tengbeh
