Nabeela Tunis, Minister of Tourism, has called on government institutions, the private sector, and the public to join forces in tackling the persistent pollution of Sierra Leone’s beaches.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Tunis emphasized that while beach cleaning does not fall directly under her ministry’s mandate, her office has taken responsibility for keeping the country’s beaches clean over the years.

“The dirt you see on our beaches is dumped by Sierra Leoneans into waterways, which ultimately ends up on the shore,” Tunis said. She noted that her ministry has engaged relevant sectors, raised funds, and developed more than ten strategies to maintain beach cleanliness.

The minister highlighted that the problem worsens during the rainy season, when seaweed and other debris are washed into the sea. “Since 2024, we have issued press releases urging private sector partners to support beach cleaning initiatives,” she said.

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Tunis acknowledged private sector contributions, citing one organization that installed nets across Juba Creek to trap waste before it reaches the beaches. While effective, she stressed that more collaboration is needed to fully address the issue.

Abandoned ships along the coastline were also flagged as a major concern, undermining the beaches’ aesthetic appeal. The minister urged those responsible to stop such activities immediately and assured the public that all abandoned vessels would be removed as quickly as possible.

Despite challenges with seaweed during the rainy season, Minister Tunis noted that the ministry has harvested approximately 30 bags of seaweed for agricultural use, supplying them to local companies. She also praised Environs Solutions for transforming plastic bottles into marketable products, reducing plastic pollution along the beaches.

“The ministry cannot do this alone. We call on all MDAs and private sector partners to collaborate and support our cleaning efforts,” she emphasized.

The General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Madam Fatmata Mida Carew, provided an update on the seaweed-cleaning machine purchased by the ministry. “The machine was designed to collect seaweed, but because it comes mixed with plastics and other waste, it sometimes gets stuck. Nevertheless, it remains operational and effective,” Carew explained.

In conclusion, Minister Tunis appealed to the media to raise awareness about the penalties for dumping waste into waterways. “We are not blaming anyone, but we must work together to protect our beaches. This is about our country’s image,” she said.