By Mada Augustine Ngombu
The Western Area Rural District Council, Chairman Kasho Holland Cole has expressed concerns at the illegal Sand Mining taking place along beaches around the Peninsula.
Holland-Cole told Politico that sand mining is only official in two places in the western rural district- John Obey and Hamilton community but admitted illegal sand mining is a daily occurrence especially at Lakka, and Mambo. He said perpetrators conduct the act at night when authorities monitoring those areas are not around.
He claimed that people mine illegally in those areas without the knowledge of the council and cited the long distances between the council’s Waterloo Head office and those areas as a hindrance to efforts in tackling the problem. He said they lack the staff to carry out anti sand mining operations.
He also stated that the council sends Police stationed in those areas to go stop the illegal act and that council also collaborates with community heads to report on any sand mining activity to the council and the police, but claimed most times, the local authorities in charge of the areas compromise with the thieves.
Those that engage in illegal sand mining are often charged with larceny by the police and sent to court, Holland-Cole stated.
Speaking to Politico, the Chairman Sierra Leone Association of Tourism and Hospitality Professionals, Anthony .B. Moiforay said that sand mining is the biggest threat faced along touristic coastline. "Driving from Laaka Beach to John Obey and Bureh Beach the threat is bare, and the effect is real" he said.
He further said sand mining is a serious degradation happening on the beaches which makes them very worried and concerned because if they don’t take care the county will lose its beautiful coastline.
He also said that they should move together as a sector to have a legislation that will help protect the beaches, emphasizing that the tourism sector should jealously guard such treasures and keep them safe.
He disclosed that in January 2023 they will be launching an Advocacy initiative to educate the public about the dangers that is posed by sand mining and to also name and shame the facilitators of such an illegal activity.
Copyright (c) 2022 Politico Onlin3 (02/11/22)
