By Alie Badara in Bo
In Bo Southern Sierra Leone, the continued illegal acquisition of wetlands particularly in the Kakua and Tikonko Chiefdoms of Bo District is a glaring manifestation of the disrespect for state laws.
Politically influential individuals have exploited their positions to engage in massive land grabs, disregarding the legal frameworks designed to protect state assets and the environment.
This trend not only threatens the rule of law but also jeopardizes the future well-being of the Sierra Leonean populace.
On a field visit to the heart of the affected communities in Bo,, recent visit to locations in Bo City, such as Baiima Road after the bridge, New York junction, Shellmingo, Total Towama junction, and New Gerihun Road revealed alarming conditions.
These areas, once vital wetlands, are now at risk of disaster due to unregulated land acquisition practices.
Unless immediate action is taken to restore order, the consequences could be catastrophic.
In light of these growing concerns, I reached out to regional authorities, including John Sinnah, the Regional Director South of the Ministry of Lands, and Musa Koroma, the Regional Coordinator for the National Protected Area Agency -NPAA .
Both officials expressed a unanimous concern over the lawlessness perpetrated by politically influential figures in Bo and beyond.
They revealed their on-going struggles to halt land invasions, often thwarted by political pressure and threats from high ranking officials.
Despite the Ministry’s public sensitization efforts through community radio, aimed at educating citizens about land ownership-both government and private the encroachment persists.
The rhetoric against illegal land use remains largely unheeded, as the invaders leverage their Political connections to operate with impunity.
The reckless actions of these so-called “political party pekins” are fostering a future disaster that they will ultimately be unable to manage.
By obstructing natural waterways in the swamp communities of Bo, they are paving the way for widespread flooding when the rains arrive.
As the saying goes: “Prevention is better than cure”, yet the disaster management team appears to only react when the danger escalates to an immediate crisis.
Their response often consists of providing aid in the form of used clothing and food, rather than implementing proactive measures against the root causes of the disasters.
Given the escalating issues of land insecurity and blatant lawlessness in Southern Sierra Leone, it is imperative that the government implements measures that address these challenges event though it is the home region of the President of Sierra Leone.
This includes not only enforcing existing laws but also establishing disciplinary actions against those who violate state orders with impunity.
The current pattern of political figures engaging in illegal land acquisition under the cover of night and evading accountability during the day highlights the urgent need for vigilance and enforcement.
Sierra Leone stands at a crossroads, where the actions of a few politically influential individuals threaten the wellbeing of many.
Failure to act decisively against illegal land acquisition will not only undermine the rule of law but also put countless lives at risk.
It is time for the government and relevant stakeholders to take a stand, ensuring that the rights of citizens and the sanctity of state laws are upheld for the benefit of all.
The proactive approaches to land management and disaster prevention must become a priority, or we risk facing the dire consequences of inaction.