By Sulaiman Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Local Government Tamba Lamina has on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 during a government press briefing held at the outskirt of Freetown, Waterloo, assured his ministry’s collaboration with other MDAs, including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to mitigate environmental hazards and to protect the environment.
The town hall meeting was organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Western Area Rural District Council Waterloo on environmental protection and disaster preparedness and management under the theme “The need to urgently protect our environment”.
According to Minister Abdulai, his ministry deals with governance in local communities and how people live in their various communities across the country which includes district councils, counselors, traditional leaders (Paramount Chiefs), saying joining the ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE), the ministry of Environmental is a media engagement while acknowledging the impact rains and the disaster caused by the rain in recent times, adding if the environment was well taken care of Suh incidences would not happened. “If we raise awareness, we will get a better response” he noted, pointing out that sole people find it very difficult to clean their homes nor pay for the cleaning thus causing the blockage of the drainage.
Minister Abdulai Jiwoh said some people don’t have building permit and proper documents to construct structures in certain locations, especially disaster-prone areas, stressing the importance of collaboration towards the awareness. He reiterated that his ministry is always ready to work and partner with relevant MDAs to protect the environment.
Many citizens have applauded the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for the move to engage and educate citizens on the importance of ownership because everyone is affected when the rain falls. The improper construction of houses within the city has sparks lots blames and counter blames among state actors, citizens and landowners.
