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The Deputy Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency, Sulaiman Bandajuma Sowa, has detailed the origin, mandate, and achievements of the agency, while announcing plans to strengthen disaster response presence in Karene District.
Addressing Paramount Chiefs, local authorities, and community members at the Salone Civic Day Series held in Kamakwie, Karene District on April 14, 2026, Sowa said the NDMA was established to serve as the country’s central body for managing disasters.
He explained that before its creation, disaster management was handled by the Office of National Security, where it existed as a unit responsible for responding to emergencies such as the Ebola virus disease and the Freetown Mudslide 2017.
Sowa noted that the formation of the NDMA followed a campaign promise by President Julius Maada Bio in 2018 to create an independent institution dedicated to disaster management. He said this commitment led to the enactment of the National Disaster Management Act in 2020, which formally established the agency.
“Our mandate is to manage disaster right across the country; we are the first point of contact if any disaster occurs in any part of the country,” Sowa said.
He explained that when incidents such as structurally unsafe buildings are reported, the agency dispatches teams to conduct assessments and provide recommendations aimed at reducing risks and preventing loss of life.
He added that the NDMA also carries out follow-up monitoring and evaluation after responding to incidents to ensure that mitigation measures are properly implemented and that similar disasters do not recur.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s recovery from the civil war, Sowa said the country has demonstrated resilience in rebuilding. He stated that many physical signs of the conflict have been removed, with damaged infrastructure restored across communities.
Sowa further disclosed that the NDMA has established offices across the country, including its headquarters in Freetown, as well as regional offices in Port Loko, Makeni, Bo, and Kenema, covering various districts nationwide.
Focusing on Karene District, he announced that the agency is assigning a disaster management staff member to the area. The officer will be responsible for documenting reported incidents and forwarding them to the Port Loko office for further action.
Highlighting the agency’s work over the past five years, Sowa said the NDMA has conducted search operations and rescued individuals during major fire incidents, among other interventions.
He also informed the public that the agency can be reached at its headquarters on Sir Samuel Lewis Road in Aberdeen, Freetown, or through its toll-free emergency number, 1199, available on the Africell network. According to him, response teams are stationed across the country and remain on standby to address emergencies.
Sowa concluded his remarks by inviting questions from the audience, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to engaging communities and improving disaster preparedness nationwide.
