By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanh
Updating the media on the recent collapsed five-floor building at SS Camp in Freetown amidst the heavy rains in July this year, the Deputy Executive Director of National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), John Vandi Rogers has said three people were killed and five others injured.
Rogers was speaking at the Government’s weekly press conference on 30th July 2024, about the torrential rains in July that led to the deaths of some six people across the city and destruction of property
He said the landlord of the collapsed building did manage to rescue himself and his two children before a search and rescue team took five otherpeople to safety.
“From 11:30 pm when the incident happened till 4 o’clock in the morning, we were able to rescue one lady. By about 8 o’clock in the morning, we also rescued a man. All those rescued were alive but some with injuries. Three people died. Of that number, one of them was a pregnant woman,” he emphasized.
Rogers however believed that it was because of their “intensive” search operation that made them able to rescue five people.
Speaking about the climate condition, he noted that the weather pattern has become “erratic” which he said has affected the country, but that they are working collaboratively with other meteorological agency.
Rogers said that they are working collaboratively with the Freetown City Council (FCC), the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRSA) and the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency to ensure they mitigate disasters.
He highlighted deforestation as one of the major problems affecting the environment.
He spoke about the communication unit at the agency which teams up with other institutions to ensure that they provide information on the high risk areas whenever rain sets in, adding they ensure they first rescue disable people, children and the aged during disasters. He also noted that the armed forces and the police help to rescue people when disaster happens.
He urged people to call the toll-free line 1199 whenever there is disaster, for them to respond to disasters at any time.
Their long term strategy he noted is to continue engaging with the government and the citizens to solve environmental related problems.
Director General, Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) Engineer Alfred Jalil Momodu in his statement spoke about their role in the developing and maintenance of the roads totaling 11,300 kilometers across the country. He said they do not get the required funds for road maintenance.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (05/08/24)
