Health Alert, a leading Health and Human Rights Advocacy organization, has strongly condemned the government’s ongoing sale of prohibited lands, including drainages, culverts, dumping sites, and hills, which has led to the construction of unsafe buildings.

These lands, often sold by corrupt officials to wealthy business tycoons, have become hazardous zones, resulting in numerous building collapses that have claimed countless innocent lives.

In a sharply worded statement released today, Health Alert’s Executive Director, Victor Lansana Koroma, expressed deep frustration over what he described as a “reckless and unpatriotic” trend by successive governments.

Koroma stressed that these illegal land sales have caused the deaths of “hundreds, if not thousands, of peaceful and innocent souls” over the years due to poorly constructed buildings erected on unsafe land.

“This diabolic practice has become a business model for greedy politicians, who sell these lands for personal gain, disregarding the safety and lives of citizens,” Koroma said. “We vehemently condemn this action and say it MUST STOP NOW.”

The organization’s call to action follows a series of devastating building collapses across the Western Area Urban and Rural regions between January and September 2024, which have left numerous fatalities and injuries. In response, Health Alert has outlined a series of urgent demands to prevent further tragedies and hold those responsible accountable.

Health Alert is calling for an immediate government investigation into officials within the Ministry of Lands and the Freetown City Council (FCC) to determine who facilitated the sale of these prohibited lands. The group also demands that President Julius Maada Bio overhaul both the Ministry of Lands and the FCC, ensuring that those responsible for the illegal land deals face appropriate consequences.

In addition, Health Alert has urged President Bio to impose a nationwide ban on the construction of buildings in prohibited areas such as culverts, gutters, dumping sites, and hills, whether for business, office, or residential purposes. The organization emphasized the urgent need for professional oversight in construction, advocating for legislation that requires all buildings in the Western Area Urban and Rural regions to be constructed by licensed and trained engineers. They argue that the lack of such oversight has directly contributed to the increasing number of unsafe structures.

Health Alert also called for financial compensation for the families of those who have lost their lives or sustained injuries as a result of building collapses during the first nine months of 2024. The group emphasized that property owners of these collapsed buildings should be held liable for the tragedies caused by their unsafe structures.

Furthermore, Health Alert vowed to take legal action if the government does not address their demands. Koroma made it clear that the organization is prepared to pursue both the state and property owners in court to ensure justice for the victims. “We will not rest until justice is served. This is a matter of life and death, and we will take legal action if the government fails to act,” he said.

In conclusion, Health Alert expressed its deepest condolences to the families affected by the recent building collapses, offering sympathies for their losses. “May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace,” the statement read.

The issue of prohibited land sales has long been a point of contention in Sierra Leone, with many citizens accusing officials of prioritizing personal financial gain over public safety. As the death toll continues to rise from unsafe buildings, there is growing pressure on the government to take swift and decisive action to prevent further loss of life. Health Alert’s bold stance is expected to intensify calls for accountability and reforms, as citizens demand answers from both the government and the business elites involved in these dangerous land transactions.