The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in collaboration with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Engineer Regiment, has concluded a two-day effort to clear a major waterway in Regent Community. This initiative underscores NDMA’s commitment to disaster preparedness and mitigation, particularly in light of recent intensified rainfall in Freetown.

The initiative will also target the Levuma community, both of which have been identified as particularly vulnerable to flooding and other rain-related disasters. An assessment by the NDMA’s Directorate of Risk Reduction and Preparedness revealed that recent flooding had affected over 600 households and businesses in these areas.

The assessment detailed extensive damage to homes, properties, roads, and other infrastructure. Indiscriminate construction, stone mining, and deforestation were identified as significant factors exacerbating the risks. The loss of stabilizing elements like rocks and soil on the hilltops of Regent and other communities has led to many reported landslides during heavy downpours. This ecological vulnerability also threatens the Tacugama Sanctuary, located between Grafton and Regent, within the Western Area Peninsula National Park.

Thomas Lebbie, Director of Risk Reduction and Preparedness at NDMA, noted the historical susceptibility of the Regent-Grafton Highway to landslides, with a significant event occurring in 1945. He highlighted the critical nature of the Regent road bridge, which serves thousands of commuters daily, and emphasized the prohibition of indiscriminate construction along its Right of Way. He stressed the importance of this collaborative effort with the Armed Forces Engineer Regiment in clearing major waterways and advised residents of the potential for landslides due to destabilizing activities on hilltops.

Lieutenant Colonel A. K. Turay of the RSLAF Engineer Regiment confirmed their involvement as part of the NDMA response mechanism. He outlined the support received from NDMA for this clearing exercise, focusing on the flood-prone Regent and Levuma communities. This initiative follows a series of assessments that identified these areas as high-risk.

Joseph Sorie Bangura, the Headman of Regent Community, expressed his gratitude to NDMA and the RSLAF Engineer Regiment for their timely intervention. He recounted a recent massive flooding incident that led to the displacement of residents, loss of properties, and disruption of businesses. He urged residents to refrain from dumping waste in waterways to prevent future disasters.

Councilor Sorie Menday Bangura of Regent also commended the efforts of NDMA and the RSLAF Engineer Regiment. He called on community members to take ownership of disaster prevention measures, including maintaining clear drainage systems and avoiding construction on waterways.

In ensuring strong collaboration with other sector players during these interventions, the NDMA invited the National Communications Authority (NatCA), which swiftly evacuated fiber cables beneath the bridge for safety and restored them after the exercise. Mr Lahai Keita, acting Director of Environmental Disasters at the Ministry of Environment and climate change was present also provided technical assistance.

The NDMA’s risk mitigation interventions aim to develop effective measures to address these challenges and enhance the resilience of the affected communities against future disasters. The Agency will continue to implement targeted interventions to safeguard lives and properties in these high-risk areas.