Despite the pomp and pageantry associated with the commissioning of fifty two (52) houses at Mile Six for the August 14th mudslide victims at Matormeh on the 16th January, 2018 by his Excellency the President, the allocations meant for the victims are still empty and unoccupied.
It could be recalled that three indigenous Sierra Leoneans, Gento Group, Pavi Fort and SECON) built 52 houses for the mudslide victims at Mile Six as part of their contribution to Government’s post mudslide program. These three Sierra Leonean local companies had since completed the 52 houses with other facilities like the orphanage, church and mosque over 80% complete. Authorities of these companies had since handed over the facilities to Government and unconfirmed sources has told Nightwatch that the facilities are now under the control and supervision of the Sierra Leone Housing Corporation (SALHOC) and it is not known what the Corporation intends doing with the facilities, which are still empty with the Sierra Leone Police providing security.
Alimamy Sesay, a victim of the mudslide disaster at Matormeh, intimated this media that his family is currently constrained and living in a garage with his wife and six children, after a meager sum was given to them by the Government to look for accommodation.
Government is coming under increased pressure from civil society and other humanitarian players for the current plight of the victims after colossal sums of money were received by the Government on their behalf.
The construction of the 52 self-contained houses at Mile Six was meant to cushion some of the problems of the victims who lost their homes and loved ones when the disaster struck in the early hours of the 14th August,2017. The World immediately came to the rescue of the country, with bilateral countries, International humanitarian organizations, International Financial countries, pouring support to the victims in the form of materials, cash, food and non-food items to help the victims.
Efforts to get authorities at SALHOC to comment on what they intend doing with the accommodation proved futile as we go to press.