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The National Tourist Board (NTB) has ordered the immediate closure of several commercial establishments operating along the Aberdeen–Lumley Beach Front for failing to participate in a mandatory post-festive beach cleaning exercise.
The directive follows the successful implementation of the “After-Festive Season Beach Cleaning Exercise” held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, which was organized by the NTB after a stakeholders’ meeting conducted on January 7. The initiative was aimed at restoring the cleanliness and environmental integrity of the beach following increased activities during the festive season.
The large-scale cleaning drive was carried out in line with a directive from the NTB Board Chairman, emphasizing collective responsibility in protecting the country’s premier coastline. Beyond waste removal, the exercise sought to strengthen collaboration between the NTB and beach-front businesses, including bars, restaurants, hotels, and casinos.
More than 100 volunteers took part in the exercise, divided into specialized teams responsible for sweeping, clearing, waste collection, cleaning, and grass cutting. The teams covered the entire Aberdeen–Lumley Beach Front, significantly improving the area’s sanitation and aesthetic appeal.
Despite prior engagement and clear instructions issued during the January 7 planning meeting, participation from beach-front establishments varied. The NTB had directed all businesses to deploy staff and provide tools to clean their immediate environments and adjoining areas.
However, inspections conducted during the exercise by NTB officials, alongside Trevor Young of Sierra Leone to the Top, revealed that while many establishments complied fully, a number of businesses failed to participate entirely.
Confirming enforcement actions, Mohamed Bah, PDO of the National Tourist Board, said the Board would take firm measures against defaulting establishments.
“The National Tourist Board wishes to formally inform all Aberdeen–Lumley Beach area establishments that refused or failed to comply with this collaborative cleaning exercise that such actions constitute a breach of operational expectations and environmental standards,” Bah stated.
As a result, the NTB has issued an enforcement notice ordering the immediate closure of all non-compliant establishments. The affected businesses will remain closed until they meet the Board’s environmental and operational requirements and receive further directives.
The NTB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and attractive coastal environment that supports tourism growth and public health, stressing that cooperation from all beach-front operators is mandatory and non-negotiable.
