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The Air Commodore, Chief of Air Staff and Defence Spokesperson of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Hassan Sei Coomber, has confirmed that the Defence Council has approved the sale of Juba Military Barracks as part of efforts to raise funds to support military infrastructure development.
Speaking in a recent media interview, Coomber said the decision followed internal assessments and a cost-benefit analysis conducted by the military authorities.
“So for the Juba Barracks which we will trade off, we have bought more lands than what we even need for now for us to be able to move people,” he stated.
According to him, the Armed Forces have already secured additional land to accommodate personnel who may be relocated from the Juba facility. He noted that Murray Town has sufficient space for modern development, including the construction of high-rise buildings.
“If we trade off Juba, Murray Town has space where high rising buildings can be erected. You know these days you just need a piece of land where a modern and high rising building can be constructed,” Coomber said.
He disclosed that negotiations for the sale of the barracks are currently ongoing, although specific details are yet to be finalized.
“The negotiations for Juba Barracks is in progress but I don’t have the details on the negotiations, but I will make the details available once I confirm it,” he added.
Coomber further explained that the Defence Council’s approval was granted after careful consideration of the potential benefits and impact of the sale.
“We have got the defence council’s approval to sell it because we have already done scoping on that, the cost benefit analysis, and we have looked at the benefits it can bring to Freetown if we lose it,” he said.
He pointed to recent developments in the Aberdeen community as an example of how the area could transform if redeveloped.
“We have seen how Aberdeen community has transformed in recent time. If high rising structures are constructed there, the place will eventually develop,” Coomber noted.
Providing details about the current layout of the barracks, he said there are about eighteen soldiers’ quarters at the site, along with additional space measuring approximately 20 acres.
“There are about eighteen soldiers quarters there, and there are other spaces about 20 acres, so even if we trade the Juba Barracks off, we will still be able to have many buildings which can house more soldiers,” he stated.
The proposed sale of Juba Military Barracks forms part of a broader strategy by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces to modernize its infrastructure while supporting urban development in Freetown. Further details regarding the negotiations are expected to be made public once confirmed by the Defence authorities.
How could that be to sell a military barracks ?
Like seriously 😣😳
What’s this government is doing??
Oh Saleone
Is this a dream or it really going to happen in my country! 🤔 🤔 🧐 😴 😴
Oooo Salone 😴
Juba barracks can not be replaced.its a strategic point for any enemy vessel want to enter Freetown Juba will be the first to repost.think twice.
It does not make any sense to sell Cuba barracks, 50%of our military personnel are living in private homes under rental, instead of this Government to build accommodation for them, they are busy planning to sell the one they didn’t build, shame on the defence council for approving the sale of juba barracks, but am not surprised they have all turn into politicians, there was this saying in the Army that “your men first” but because those we trusted as bosses have turn to politicians that say has change to “myself myself ” they only thinks for them and their family, most of the barracks in the city are not in good condition, interms of basic facilities like good drinking water, toilet facility which is very poor, in this 21 century people are still using bucket as toilet, light facility is very poor, the barracks are very congested some soldiers has turn the kitchen room as a sleeping room. And this same defence council that has approved the sale of Juba knows about all these constraints that the personnel are undergoing. It really a shame to our Army.
Not a big issue anyway. The millitary owns it and whatever they think it usefulness is nobody’s concern. Only idlers can stress about it
Selling it is not a bad thing but the question that we all as sierra Leoneans should ask ourselves is what will happen to the military personnel leaving their? what have the military put in place for future in taking? and what have they military put in place for the security of the area if their is an attack in the country from that part