By: Lansana Koroma
During a press briefing on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education Conference Room, Freetown City Council Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr disclosed alarming statistics regarding deforestation in the city.
In response, the Freetown City Council (FCC) has identified 62 flash flood-prone areas and planted 977 trees since the beginning of 2024. The Council is now embarking on an ambitious project to plant 300,000 trees, including 200 mangroves along the coast, to address flooding and mitigate climate change impacts.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr reported that Freetown lost 550 hectares of forested areas in 2023 due to widespread deforestation. She emphasized the severe challenges posed by unregulated building permits and deforestation, highlighting the Ministry of Lands’ role in regulating land use and building permits. Freetown’s population has surged from 500,000 thirty years ago to over five million today, further straining land management efforts.
The absence of a master plan and effective monitoring has exacerbated deforestation. Many residents have turned to deforestation as a means of livelihood, leading to significant environmental degradation and severe flash flooding.
From January to April 2024 alone, Freetown lost 520 hectares of forested land, including hills and trees. The affected areas, particularly in Ward C at Lumley, are known for their protected forests and mountainous terrain. Charcoal burning (62%) and unregulated construction are the primary drivers of deforestation in these regions.
The Mayor outlined long-term strategies involving collaboration with Community Disaster Management Committees, the Ministry of Lands, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), and other agencies. Efforts include reassessing sewage disposal workers and planting trees in flood mitigation zones, as Freetown is divided into eight blocks for better management.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also reported that recent rainfall in Freetown has ranged from 570 to 691 millimeters. She highlighted the challenges posed by inadequate road access in areas with unauthorized construction.
Stakeholders are urging citizens to exercise caution during the intense rainy season and to report flood-related issues by calling 199.
