By James Sandy
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning has issued a stern warning to buyers of commercial plots at the Kenema Airfield, threatening confiscation of properties if construction deadlines are not met.
In a public notice released on Monday, the Ministry accused several landholders of failing to honor agreed building timelines, saying they had “reneged” on development commitments tied to their allocations.
Authorities said the Kenema Airfield project forms part of a broader urban planning strategy aimed at shifting commercial activity away from the congested city centre.
The Ministry has now granted a six-month extension for developers to complete at least the first level of construction, warning that failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of both land and any existing structures.
“You have been warned,” the notice stated bluntly.
The directive comes against the backdrop of persistent public complaints over land grabbing, multiple allocations, and alleged illegal sales of state lands — issues that have long plagued the sector and undermined confidence in land administration.
Urban development analysts say such practices have contributed to stalled projects, disputes over ownership, and speculative holding of prime land without development.
While the government has repeatedly pledged reforms, critics argue that enforcement has remained weak, allowing irregular transactions and non-compliance to continue largely unchecked.
The latest warning signals a renewed push by authorities to assert control over strategic state lands and force compliance with development agreements in one of the country’s key regional growth corridors.
