By Emma Black
In a coordinated effort to support the tourism sector and enhance environmental cleanliness, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), on the Thursday 2 October 2025 in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), conducted a large-scale cleaning exercise along Aberdeen and Lumley beaches yesterday. The initiative focused on removing sea weeds and accumulated waste, restoring the natural beauty of two of Freetown’s most popular coastal destinations.
Speaking on the exercise, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura, emphasized that the operation aimed to send a clear message of stability and security to both domestic and international tourists, we want visitors to see that Sierra Leone is peaceful, safe, and welcoming, especially as we approach the festive season, he said.
The cleaning exercise also serves as part of the Defence Mission and Tasks of the Armed Forces, demonstrating the RSLAF’s commitment not only to national security but also to socio-economic development initiatives, including support for tourism.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Nabeela Farida Tunis, praised the RSLAF and SLP for their efforts, noting that this was the first thorough clean-up of the Aberdeen and Lumley beaches since sea weeds and other debris began accumulating in 2009. She further disclosed plans for her Ministry to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RSLAF to ensure that similar cleaning exercises are carried out regularly across other Sierra Leonean beaches.
To ensure efficiency, the RSLAF deployed approximately 1,100 troops along with specialized engineering equipment, while the SLP contributed around 300 personnel. The engineering machinery, including bulldozers, excavators, forklifts, graders, semi-trailers, tractors, cargo trucks, and dump trucks, was donated to the RSLAF in 2022 by President Julius Maada Bio, with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China. These assets have since been utilized for infrastructure rehabilitation within military barracks, disaster response operations, and large-scale cleaning initiatives such as yesterday’s exercise.
According to the Sierra Leone Tourist Board, the combined stretch of Aberdeen and Lumley beaches measures approximately 3.5 kilometres. The successful operation not only cleared the beaches of debris but also reinforced Sierra Leone’s image as a safe, beautiful, and tourist-friendly destination.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 6th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
