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The Sierra Leone Institute of Architects [SLIA] have called for the urgent development and enforcement of a modern, comprehensive National Building Code, as a way of proffering solutions to the rise in building collapses in the country.
SLIA President Architect Garber, speaking at a certification ceremony held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, said the increasing number of building collapses in the country is unacceptable.
“The loss of lives and properties due to collapsing buildings is unacceptable,” Garber stated. “We need a building code that enforces accountability and demands proper expertise from those overseeing construction.”
He criticized the common practice of allowing unqualified individuals to supervise construction projects, a factor he said has led to structural failures that could have been prevented.
“When approved buildings are without proper oversight, we’re putting lives at risk,” he added.
Backing the call for reform, SLIA Secretary General, Architect Abel Onomake, described building codes as more than just legal requirements.
“A building code isn’t just a legal formality — it’s a lifesaving tool,” Onomake emphasized. He highlighted the importance of safety, structural integrity, and resilience in the nation’s built environment.
The event also marked the certification of a new cohort of qualified Architect Assistants and Draughtsmen, whom the Institute views as key to the future of safer, better-planned infrastructure. Onomake stressed the need for architectural education to go beyond classroom learning.
“Real learning happens when theory meets practice,” he said. “Architecture goes beyond good design. It requires a grasp of engineering principles, environmental conditions, and climate impact.”
Representing the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Deputy Director of Planning, Abubakarr Jalloh, also pointed to the need for legal reform in the sector.
“We are still operating under colonial-era laws like the Town and Country Planning Act of 1960,” Jalloh said. “It’s time we adopt and implement the new Building Code, which is now in its final stages.”
He linked poor designs and the neglect of environmental risks to many recent building collapses and emphasized the importance of having certified professionals lead construction projects.
With the rainy season increasing the risk of structural failures, SLIA has reiterated the urgent need for tougher regulations, strict approval processes, and qualified oversight to protect the lives of citizens and ensure sustainable national development.
