Freetown, 22nd August 2024 – During the monthly Inter-Pillar Coordination Meeting (IPCM), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and its partners, including government ministries, agencies, the Institute of Engineers, NGOs, INGOs, the Standards Bureau, Sierra Leone Police, Fire Force, and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, convened to address the alarming rise in building collapses, particularly in Freetown.
The NDMA and its partners have committed to working together to conduct timely risk assessments, identifying hazards and taking swift action to prevent further tragedies, thereby safeguarding lives and property.
Recent assessments revealed that many of the building collapses that claimed the lives of 13 people in July and August 2024 in Freetown were caused by the use of substandard building materials and poor engineering design. The persistent downpours in Freetown since July have worsened the situation, leading to multiple building and fence collapses.
During the meeting, Engineer Trudy Morgan, outgoing president of the Institute of Engineers, presented on building construction standards, emphasizing the critical factors leading to structural failures in the city. She highlighted that many individuals bypass qualified engineers in favor of unqualified so-called engineers, who use substandard materials, greatly increasing the risk of building collapses.
Engineer Frank Martin from the Standards Bureau acknowledged the challenges his agency faces in assessing the quality of building materials. He noted that while the bureau requests manufacturer certificates and information on the origin of imported materials, they lack the necessary resources for comprehensive assessments.
The NDMA has consistently, through its outreach engagements reiterated the importance of adhering to building safety standards and the dangers posed by substandard construction practices. Furthermore, the agency has classified building and fence collapses as a major hazard and is urging citizens to engage qualified engineers and use high-quality materials in their construction projects to prevent future tragedies.
The meeting also addressed the recent widespread flooding across the country. Ronald Turay, Senior Relief and Response Officer at the NDMA, provided an overview of the flooding that has devastated towns and villages nationwide, reporting extensive damage, including vast areas of submerged farmland, homes, and public facilities, severely impacting local communities.
Several partners present at the meeting pledged to provide support to the affected farmers and other victims, including livelihood assistance.
John V. Rogers, Deputy Director General of the NDMA, who chaired the meeting, expressed deep gratitude to all partners for their continued commitment to improving disaster management and ensuring the safety of citizens and infrastructure.
The NDMA’s ongoing IPCM meetings, alongside its various pillar group meetings, continue to play a vital role in implementing major risk reduction interventions, preventing numerous disasters, and providing relief support to those affected by emergencies.
Directorate of Communications, NDMA
