The Government Inter-Ministerial Committee on Lands, Water Catchment Areas and Mangrove has on a public notice on Thursday 10 March 2022 called on individuals constructing structures on Guma Valley transmission mains and other water supply areas to discontinue immediately.

“The Government Inter-Ministerial Committee on Lands, Water Catchment Areas and Mangroves hereby informs the general public that all Water Catchment Areas, including National Parks, Wetlands, Sand Dunes, Water Bodies and Road Corridors of the Guma Valley transmission mains and other water supply infrastructure are properties of the Government of Sierra Leone and not Private Properties,” the committee stated.

They further noted that, “Consequently, all those that have constructed structures within 2 meters of Guma Valley Water Company transmission mains and other water supply infrastructure must demolish them within one month of this notice (effective 10th March to 10th April 2022) failure which the structure will be demolished.”

The committee added that anyone carrying out illegal activities (construction, farming, logging) in the water catchment areas, wetlands and protected areas must discontinue immediate effect.

They further noted that all prospective buyers of lands for the construction of houses or any other structures within water catchment, wetland, and protected areas are strongly advised to discontinue all transactions with immediate effect.

The committee stated that, “All property owners who think they have genuine land documents in the aforementioned are advised to forward all documents to the Ministry of Land and Country Planning for verification.”

“Failure to adhere to the above will lead to the demolition of all properties located in the stated above,” they added.