By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Tenants and Landlords Welfare organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and the Environment has on 9th April 2021 officially commissioned the organization’s office in Kenema eastern Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the ceremony, the board chairman of the organization, Augustine Allieu Sannoh said the organization was in everyone’s interest as everybody can be a tenant or landlord.
He said there has been an increase in court cases between tenants and landlords which led to the initiative of setting up a welfare organization for both parties.
He observed that the formation of the organization has over the years helped to settle many disputes between tenants and landlords without reaching court level.
The Executive Director for the organization Francis N Swarray said they have intervened in many disputes including those in which women face challenges with rent.
He said with the support of the Legal Aid Board, legal officers have been mediating between the two groups.
He commended the former Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Dr. Dennis Sandi and the Mayor of Kenema for their support in them securing a piece of land for the office space.
In his statement, the Mayor of Kenema city Thomas Baio assured of the council’s relentless support towards the success of the organization. “If this organization succeeds then it will be beneficial to everybody as there is a a lot of conflict among tenants and landlords for minor issues”, he said. He promised to provide furniture for the running of the office.
Speaking at the event, the leader of government business Mathew Sahr Nyuma said that conflict among property owners and tenants is a security and social issue in the society especially in the urban cities and should not be treated with levity, adding that as member of parliament and leader of government business he will expect the ministry of lands and other partners to table a bill in parliament for the amendment and modification of the old tenant and landlord law in Sierra Leone.
“MP’s will be ready to debate the bill and ratify some of the old law in the law book,” he said.
He admonished the gathering to refrain from taking the organization into any tribal or political grouping and pledged to electrify the entire office with air conditioning system and other office equipment, shortly.
In his keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer, National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), Ibrahim Brima Swarray said the work of the organisation is complementing the work of the judiciary, local authorities and the Ministry of Lands.
He noted that the organization should be seen as a national entity which will help to resolve many problems among communities as it stands to serve vulnerable people who can’t afford legal service.
Swarray also pledged two computers and air conditioners for the office.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (12/04/21)
