The Freetown City Council (FCC) has initiated the demolition of structures erected on illegally reclaimed land in the Kroo Bay community, a move aimed at addressing severe environmental and flooding concerns.
The demolition, which began on Friday, is part of a broader initiative to restore the natural environment in one of Freetown’s most vulnerable areas.
The Kroo Bay community, a densely populated informal settlement, has long faced challenges with flooding, particularly during the rainy season. The area’s landscape, largely shaped by decades of waste deposits used to reclaim land, has become a significant environmental hazard.
In a statement released via social media, the FCC announced, “We began demolishing structures on illegally reclaimed land at Kroo Bay. The ‘land,’ made from waste deposits, has caused major pollution & poses flood risks. FCC will work with 200+ residents to plant 75,000 mangroves as part of the #treeplanting project, funded by the World Bank.”
The demolition effort is supported by several key government bodies, including the Ministries of Environment, Local Government, and Lands, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).
Following the demolition, the FCC will kick off a large-scale mangrove planting initiative under the #FreetownTheTreeTown project.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the importance of community involvement in the project, stating, “Over 200 Kroo Bay community members will be employed for an initial period of one year to plant and monitor the growth of the mangroves.”
The project not only aims to reduce flood risks by stabilizing the coastline but also seeks to provide employment and foster a sense of ownership among local residents.
The decision to remove illegal structures comes as Freetown continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, addressing the community, noted, “As the heavy rains continue and the risk of significant coastal flooding increases, I engaged members of the Kroo Bay community today. We will be demolishing large structures primarily built by ‘landlords’ on illegal ‘banking’ and replacing them with 75,000 mangroves.”
Kroo Bay, known for its resilience amidst hardship, has often been at the forefront of Freetown’s environmental challenges. The community has historically been one of the city’s most flood-prone areas, exacerbated by the practice of land reclamation through waste dumping.
The FCC’s initiative marks a significant step towards mitigating these environmental risks while offering new opportunities for the residents of Kroo Bay to contribute to the city’s climate resilience efforts.
