The Freetown City Council (FCC) has launched a citywide flood mitigation program, engaging over 1000 youths in cleaning gutters and waterways in flood-prone areas.

Between March and April, the FCC identified 72 flooding flashpoints across the city, and has since completed mitigation activities in 24 of these areas.

The identified flashpoints include Samba Gutter, Bright Street, Eastern Street, Murray Town Junction, Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Sanders Street, Wilkinson Road, Krootown Road, Tengbeh Town, Robert Street, Sengbe Pieh Bridge, Blackhall Road by Keke Garage, Texaco, Portee, Kissy Road by Kennedy Street, Fourah Bay Road by Kennedy Street, Upgun by Kissy Road Cemetery, Sarolla Old and New Road, Kroobay, Taylor Street Kissy, Congo Town, Lumley Amadu Lane Carnal and Ojuku Junction at Allen Town.

The program, funded by the World Bank and GOAL Sierra Leone, aims to improve community resilience and reduce flooding risks. Youths are being engaged through councillors to work on cleaning gutters and waterways in hotspot locations.

Over the next three weeks, an additional 1300 youths will join the effort, targeting areas such as Sani Abacha Street, Model Junction, and Regent Road-Lumley.

The FCC recognizes that sustainable flooding risk reduction requires long-term solutions, including waste management, deforestation prevention, and behavior change incentives. The council is committed to executing and supporting these efforts, including collaborating with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and the Ministry of Environment.

The FCC urges Freetown residents to support their sanitation efforts by properly disposing of waste and using approved waste service providers. By working together, the city can reduce the risk of flooding and create a cleaner, safer environment for all.