By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
President Julius Maada Bio has said he would demolish structures that he said have encroached on the greenbelt areas surrounding Guma Valley dam-the main source of water supply for residents of Freetown and parts of the rural district.
Bio made this statement at a Town Hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on 23rd July 2024 at the Bintumani Conference hall in Freetown, where he responded to numerous online questions sent to him.
He explained that bulldozers machines had been earlier set up to demolish those houses that he believed have been built in the greenbelt.
“We have drawn a line at the greenbelt for us to preserve our only source of water in the Western Area, but we still have senior citizens who go there and put up structures, even some of us in government are guilty of that,” he added, saying he will deploy military and police to help the process of demolition.
He said there should be enough water for residents in Freetown, and that future generations should have water, but that some citizens are bent on destroying all the forests for building purposes.
Speaking about the environmental problem, Bio said it has become “acute,” with people even building in swampy areas and waterways.
He urged every citizen to take positive climate action in bid to protect the environment.
“The Ministry of Environment and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) are working very hard to assess areas that the government and development partners should work on with regards to environmental problems,” he noted.
He said human activities have affected the climate pattern around the world.
He then used the event to express condolences to the people who recently lost their lives amidst the torrential rains this July, while also extending his sympathy to those who have lost their belongings in the deluge. Despite the disadvantages, the president stressed the need for rain by the agricultural sector.
Bio advised citizens to refrain from disposing garbage in drainages, one of the leading causes for flooding in communities.
He explained how his government had earlier set up the Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in light of the adverse weather condition which they as a government had foreseen as a global issue.
Bio however said the government is ready to respond to the numerous climate change challenges.
The town hall meeting according to the organisers was held for the president to interact with the people of Sierra Leone by responding to critical questions bothering on the growth and development of the country over the one-year period of his re-election.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (29/07/24)
