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Lahai Samba Keita, Director of Environmental Emergencies at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, revealed that over 550 acres of land have been illegally encroached upon.
He made this statement during a presentation at a town hall meeting themed: “Environmental Protection, Disaster Preparedness, and Management.”
The encroachment, according to Keita, occurred along the Western Area Protected Forest National Park (WAPFNP), which spans 18,000 hectares. Keita emphasized the strong interest of international partners in protecting the park.
In his remarks, Minister of Environment Jiwoh Abdulai stressed that environmental concerns affect everyone. He explained that his ministry has been collaborating with other ministries and institutions to develop policies aimed at environmental protection. Abdulai also highlighted the long-term vision of the ministry’s efforts, which are intended to benefit future generations. He identified deforestation, especially in water catchment areas, as a major cause of environmental disasters.
Tamba Lamina, Minister of Local Government, affirmed that his ministry has been working closely with the Ministry of Environment to address environmental challenges, particularly in the Western Area Urban region, which has been heavily affected over the years. He urged the public to act responsibly and emphasized the need for the country to prepare for environmental issues. Lamina also pointed out that unpermitted construction on steep and hilly areas contributes to building collapses in disaster-prone zones, stressing the importance of collective effort.
Deputy Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), John Vandi Rogers, noted that human activities have contributed to climate change in the country. Based on an assessment, Rogers explained that excessive rainfall leads to flooding, with the country being divided into low, medium, and high-risk disaster zones. He also highlighted how improper disposal of garbage in drainage systems, along with activities like stone and sand mining, worsens the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
