NDMA, Security Forces Demolish Building Under Construction in Jui Over Safety Concerns
Kanja Sesay The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), working with the Office of National Security (ONS), Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and other government institutions, has demolished a building under construction near Orugu Bridge in Jui after a technical assessment identified safety and security concerns.
The demolition was carried out on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following a decision by the National Security Council Coordinating Group (NSCCG), according to a statement issued by the NDMA in Freetown on Wednesday, October 7.
According to the NDMA, the NSCCG considered concerns surrounding the structure and directed the establishment of a technical working group to assess the situation and recommend appropriate action.
The NDMA was tasked with leading the group, which included representatives from the ONS, National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA), Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), RSLAF and SLP, alongside other relevant institutions.
Following a structural inspection and technical assessment, the group identified what the NDMA described as significant safety concerns associated with the building.
Particular concerns were raised over the structure’s proximity to Orugu Bridge and a waterway, as well as potential risks to residents, motorists, other road users and critical infrastructure. The NDMA statement also cited security concerns among the factors considered.
NDMA Director General John Vandy Rogers said the operation demonstrated the importance of government institutions working together to address hazards before they result in casualties or damage to infrastructure.
“We cannot afford to wait for a disaster to occur before taking action. Where technical assessments identify serious risks to lives, property or critical infrastructure, the responsible institutions must act.”
Rogers said the demolition reflected the institutions’ collective commitment to proactive disaster-risk reduction and public safety.
NDMA Deputy Director General Sulaiman B. Sowa similarly said the decision was based on findings from the technical assessment.
“As an Agency mandated to prepare for, prevent and respond to disaster risks, NDMA has a responsibility to act when significant hazards are identified. This exercise is about addressing the risk before it develops into a more serious emergency,” Sowa said.
The demolition was conducted as a coordinated operation involving both security and technical institutions to ensure the exercise was carried out safely and orderly.
NDMA Director of Relief and Response Sinneh Mansaray used the operation to call for greater compliance with building standards, construction approvals and other technical requirements.
He urged developers, engineers and members of the public to take construction safety seriously and obtain the necessary approvals before and during development.
The NDMA also warned against constructing buildings in prohibited, unsafe or environmentally sensitive locations, particularly areas where structures could obstruct waterways or pose risks to roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
The Agency cautioned that construction in prohibited or high-risk locations could endanger lives and property and may result in enforcement action where violations are established.
According to the NDMA, the operation at Orugu Bridge forms part of its broader disaster-risk-reduction efforts and collaboration with other state institutions to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure across Sierra Leone.