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The Hastings Airfield community has been thrown into turmoil following the government-ordered demolition of numerous homes, leaving long-time residents homeless. The demolitions, which occurred abruptly, have sparked widespread frustration among affected residents, many of whom have lived in the area for over two decades.
According to interviews conducted by African 24 newspaper, residents expressed deep dismay at the sudden eviction, which they claim was carried out without adequate notice or due process. “We were told last week to vacate the area without any court order,” one resident lamented. “We have our land documents from the Ministry of Lands. This is a worrisome situation for us, especially with our little children. Where are we to go now?”
Osman Lahai Simbo, another affected resident, criticized the government’s handling of the situation, stating that authorities should have provided relocation alternatives instead of issuing what he described as a “dismal eviction notice.” Adama Sillah, a single parent, recounted her shock and despair as her four-bedroom apartment was reduced to rubble. “How can a government that claims to seek the welfare of its people behave like this? We were not consulted or given sufficient notice. Today, our homes, which we spent millions of leones on, have been demolished,” she said.
Sillah also alleged that the demolition appeared selective, as some homes were spared, raising concerns about possible discrimination.
The demolition, according to an officer involved in the operation, was necessitated by the impending deployment of ECOWAS military forces, with Hastings Airfield earmarked for the planned ECOMOG deployment. The officer explained that the deployment is part of a long-standing ECOWAS mandate to establish a stabilization force in West Africa, aimed at maintaining peace in the region. “This is the right time, and people should be mindful of taking upon themselves to construct buildings without government approval,” the officer warned, adding that the demolition would extend to other government lands, including protected forest areas.
Community stakeholders, like Momoh Foday, expressed their distress over the destruction of property, including mosques and other structures valued at millions of leones. “We cannot fight the government or overturn their decision, but we urge authorities to reconsider and implement a plan to pacify us,” Foday said.
Earlier this month, President Julius Maada Bio, during a Town Hall meeting organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, reaffirmed the government’s stance on land encroachment.
He declared that all structures built on green belt areas would be demolished, signaling a continuation of the controversial eviction and demolition activities.
Squatters now want a court order to be removed? It is the Hastings Airfield, government property, how can you have bought it and have paper work for it.
That’s the problem of us taking chances without proper investigation.Dont play with government land
Don’t mind them , people are so callous,even the cemetery are been encroached.
Crooked government officials have cost the life savings of these people to go in vain. They must have sold and give the squatters the false land documents in order to defraud these assumed property holders. Now these people have lost their life savings in the form of houses.
Hmmm, Sierra Leone and some Sierra Leoneans would always fume anger at justified operations for political gains. This exercise should serve as warning for other would be squatters evictions. Take herd while the sun shines for those whose operations are yet to materialize, no retreat, no surrender. Lol