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Residents along the Hill Side Bye-Pass in Freetown have reportedly raised concerns over persistent flooding caused by blocked drainage channels, a situation they say is disrupting movement and posing risks to public health and safety.
The affected area, particularly along Easton Street, has experienced continuous flooding over the past two weeks after the main gutters became clogged with garbage.
The blockage has caused water to overflow onto sections of the road and surrounding drainage channels, leaving parts of the route submerged in dirty water and debris.
Residents and community stakeholders said the flooding has created significant difficulties for commuters, including schoolchildren who rely on the road daily. According to them, navigating the area has become increasingly challenging and unsafe due to the stagnant water and accumulated waste.
Community members expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of response from relevant authorities despite the worsening situation. They recalled that before construction of the Hill Side Bye-Pass Road by CSE, concerns had been raised regarding the capacity of the drainage system to handle heavy water flow during the rainy season.
According to residents, they had advised the construction company to consider building larger drainage channels to accommodate the volume of runoff typically experienced in the area. However, they were informed that the company was implementing drainage designs approved by the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).
Residents further stated that during the construction phase, CSE frequently deployed heavy equipment to clear the drainage channels whenever blockages occurred, following repeated concerns about their limited capacity. They noted that despite the current flooding, no such intervention has been carried out in recent weeks.
Community stakeholders are now calling on CSE, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, and other relevant authorities to take urgent action to clear the blocked drainages and implement lasting measures to prevent recurring flooding.
They warned that failure to address the problem promptly could lead to increased health hazards, damage to nearby properties, and further disruption of movement within the community, particularly as the rainy season intensifies.
