The Freetown City Council (FCC) has initiated a wide-reaching verification process to assess its properties across the municipality, including land spaces, recreational facilities, and buildings.

The exercise, which began on Thursday, November 14, 2024, is aimed at taking stock of FCC-owned properties and ensuring that residents are in compliance with property regulations, particularly regarding payments for land use.

The verification team, led by FCC Chief Administrator Rahman Tom Farmar, includes other stakeholders from the FCC and metropolitan police officers. The team has already visited several key locations, including the Dan Street Lorry Park, Kissy Municipal School, and Dock Yard, as part of the ongoing exercise.

Speaking to Awoko Newspaper, Rahman Tom Farmar explained that the primary goal of the property verification exercise is to ensure that FCC properties are properly accounted for and that individuals and businesses occupying these spaces are adhering to the necessary legal and financial obligations.

“People have been occupying FCC properties without contributing anything to the Council,” he said, emphasizing that many land areas under FCC jurisdiction have been encroached upon, leaving the Council with insufficient space to carry out its activities.

While Farmar did not provide specific figures on the number of FCC properties or encroached lands, he assured that by the end of December, the Council would be able to provide detailed data on the status of its properties. “We are taking a soft approach for now, but we will enforce the law if there is non-compliance,” he added. Farmar noted that some property owners have already been instructed to submit their documentation to the FCC for verification to confirm the rightful ownership of land and ensure that those occupying FCC properties have the legal right to do so.

The verification process is seen as a necessary step to address the challenges posed by encroachment and unauthorized occupation of FCC lands, which have hindered the smooth functioning of various municipal activities. One area particularly impacted by encroachment is the Kissy Municipal Primary School, located in Dock Yard.

Headmaster Brima Kateh shared concerns about the disruptive effects of encroachment on the school’s learning environment. “The noise from encroachers has made it difficult for students to focus on their studies,” he said. “Additionally, there is a mini garage operating near the school, which further disturbs the children’s learning.”

Kateh called on the authorities to intervene swiftly and reclaim the FCC’s land in the area to restore a conducive learning environment for the students.

For some residents, the verification process is a welcome development. Gbassay Kamara, a resident of Kissy Dock Yard since 1994, expressed support for the initiative.

“I have always complied with FCC regulations, ensuring that I pay my city rates each year,” he said. “I encourage other residents to regularize their status and legalize their occupancy of FCC properties.”