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Waste management challenges across Freetown are raising fresh concerns as poor disposal practices continue to undermine efforts to control flooding in the capital. With only an estimated 30-40 per cent of solid waste collected, illegal dumping, particularly in drainage systems, remains widespread.
The impact was felt in the early hours of today, around 5:00 a.m., when rainfall triggered chaos along the Brima Lane-Portee axis, a key route leading toward Waterloo. The road became blocked after dirt dumped in gutters was washed onto the roadway, disrupting movement and highlighting the city’s growing vulnerability during the rainy season.
Residents say the situation reflects a broader problem across Freetown, where individuals continue to dispose of soil and waste into gutters despite existing regulations. The debris is believed to originate from hillside communities, where runoff carries waste downhill during heavy rains.
The Portee area, one of the worst affected, was the focus of a major clean-up campaign last year led by the Freetown City Council (FCC) and partner organisations. The initiative aimed to improve drainage and reduce flood risks, alongside the introduction of laws to deter indiscriminate dumping.
However, enforcement and public compliance appear to have weakened, with residents noting that the same unsafe practices have resumed.
Community members are now urging the Freetown City Council to step up enforcement and intervention efforts, warning that without immediate action, flooding across the capital could worsen as the rainy season intensifies.
What iscthe city Mayor doing? The City Council number one priority is to ensure that all garbage rubbish are collected and disposed off properly.
Staff in some offices receive salaries and fail to perform their respective duties.
This is sad indeed.