The Rains Are Here Again: Where are EPA, NDMA and SLMD?

This Medium is very aware that Sierra Leone is immensely endowed with natural beauty and an abundance of natural resources. The harnessing of these natural resources, however, comes with responsibility and care for the environment. However, for the decades, Sierra Leone known for disasters/ conflict. No matter our place in society, we all have to demonstrate a profound commitment to environmental safety. Our relationship with the environment is so germane that we are left with no option but to protect it.

Public Review is very concerned about torrential rains especially in the capital, Freetown. Yes, the rains are here again. What is the Environmental Protection is doing at president for proper environmental management? Where is National Disaster Management Agency Act?  What about the Sierra Leone’s meteorological department? Public Review is kindly asking the following questions for urgent actions from the foregoing institutions. Many Sierra Leoneans have questioned why the government has not done more to tackle the illegal construction of the overcrowded hillsides. Sierra Leone is vulnerable to the increasing frequency and severity of droughts, floods and severe storms and their impacts on sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, as well as infrastructure and hydroelectric power production. Such climate-related hazards are having increasingly adverse effects on the country, and future climate change is likely to further exacerbate the situation.

Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone has been experiencing persistent torrential rains since mid August 2022. The highest recorded incident was on Sunday 28 August 2022, with rains causing associated impacts, including flooding in low-lying areas as well as new episodes of landslides on a low scale. Major roads in the city centre were rendered impassable due to the flood waters, heavily constraining vehicles and pedestrians having to find alternative routes. The city continues to experience more heavy rains which may cause flooding in additional communities and increase the number of affected people.

The National Disaster Management Agency was established by the National Disaster Management Agency Act, 2020 to manage disasters and similar emergencies throughout Sierra Leone and develop the capacity of communities to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies. The governing body of the Agency is the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction which is responsible for the control and supervision of the Agency. A National Disaster Management Agency Secretariat will provide technical and other support to the Agency and the National Platform.

The Environmental Protection Agency was established in order to:

 (a) co-ordinate the activities of bodies concerned with the technical or practical aspects of the environment in order to facilitate- (i) communication between such bodies and the Minister; (ii) effective supervision of the generation, treatment, storage, transportation and disposal of waste; (b) collaborate and coordinate with such foreign and international bodies as the Agency considers necessary for the purposes of the implementation of this Act;

(c) ensure compliance with prescribed environmental impact assessment procedures in the planning and execution of development projects;

(d) act, in its own accord or in co-operation with government agencies, local councils and other bodies and institutions, to control pollution and generally protect and improve the environment; (e) conduct investigations into environmental issues and advise the Minister thereon; (f) promote studies, research, surveys and analysis for the improvement and protection of the environment and the maintenance of a sound ecological system; (g) initiate and pursue formal and non-formal educational programmes for the creation of public awareness of the environment and its importance to the economic and social life of Sierra Leone;

Over the last 15 years, residents of Freetown, Sierra Leone have witnessed first-hand the escalating trail of destruction left in the wake of floods, sea rises, mudslides, landslides and more.

On August 14, a mudslide killed more than 400 people in the mountain town of Regent on the outskirts of Sierra Leone‘s capital Freetown, sweeping away homes and leaving residents desperate for news of missing family members.

These flash floods and landslides affected several communities including Kanikay, Culvert, Kaningo, Tengbeh Town, Looking town, Cassava town, and Brooks’s field and other areas within Sierra Leone. Houses have been flooded leaving residents trapped in the raging waters and their properties destroyed.

The city will continues to experience more heavy rains in the next coming weeks or month which will cause flooding in additional communities and increase the number of affected people as well. Sierra Leone need robust disaster responds policies or by strengthening our existing bodies like the National Disaster Management Agency (NDM) and provide more expertise in the area of emergency preparedness and responds. Awareness raising, mobilization and community engagement could be another added value to school those who were engaging in constructing houses in some disaster prone areas in Freetown and in some part of the country.

 In nexus to the above, Public Review want to seize this opportunity to urge all the institutions that are involved in disaster management to wake from their slumbers and act now because the rains are here.

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