Ministry of Higher Education Orders Evacuation of UNIMTECH Administrative Building…Why?

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) has confirmed the immediate evacuation of the Administrative Building at the University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH), Kissy Dockyard campus, due to structural concerns.

In a press release issued today, MTHE stated that the evacuation followed a directive from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning. This action was taken after multiple assessments conducted by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers (SLIE), and a joint team from relevant ministries raised alarms over the building’s safety.

The Ministry of Lands has since cordoned off the building and initiated plans for a structural integrity test by the Ministry of Works to determine whether it is safe for future use. However, all other buildings on campus have been deemed safe and will be used for lectures and administrative purposes in the coming academic year.

As a long-term solution, the Ministry of Lands has allocated a new plot of land on the outskirts of Freetown for the construction of a new campus for UNIMTECH.

MTHE emphasized that the safety of students and staff at tertiary institutions remains a priority and assured the public that further updates will be provided.