More than 100 staff from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning, alongside members of the Sierra Leone Bar Association specializing in land issues, staged a protest against Lands Minister Dr. Turad Senesie, accusing him of undermining professional standards in favor of political agendas.

The protesters, who convened at a resort in Freetown, condemned the Minister’s alleged disregard for the professional and technical responsibilities of the ministry, particularly in his dealings with the Lands Commission and Council. They claimed that his actions contravened the Sierra Leone Lands Act.

Central to the controversy is the Minister’s proposal to introduce para-surveyors and paralegals after only three months of training, a move workers say undermines the rigor of the profession. Surveyors require three to five years of specialized training, the protesters noted, dismissing the plan as unfeasible and detrimental to the sector.

An audio recording from a meeting featuring the Chairman of the Lands Commission, Modupeh Taylor Pearce, and lawyer Conteh, was shared with the gathering. It revealed that many of the proposed changes in the land management system were direct orders from the Minister, not the commission.

Workers also rejected Senesie’s suggestion to appoint committee members based solely on educational degrees, arguing that experience should be equally valued. They criticized his plan to personally select licensed surveyors in consultation with Paramount Chiefs and civil society organizations, asserting that such decisions should be managed by the Lands and Surveys Council.

“The Minister lacks the professional understanding necessary to make such decisions,” a protesting worker said, adding that the current system ensures accountability and professionalism.

Protesters further alleged that the Minister’s actions were politically motivated and included efforts to marginalize the Director of Lands and Surveys. They accused him of seeking personal benefits through misconduct.

Demands from the group included the establishment of surveyor training institutions in all districts, alternative forms of identification for land registration, and a clear separation of technical responsibilities from political influence. They also criticized the Minister’s decision to halt an investigation into his predecessor, Dr. Dennis Sandy, suggesting it was compromised for personal interests.

This protest underscores escalating concerns among land professionals who argue that the Minister’s policies are eroding the technical integrity of Sierra Leone’s land management system.