By Musa Paul Feika
On Saturday 2nd May, 2020, residents of Aberdeen Bridge have expressed serious concern about illegal fishing currently ongoing by some fishermen underneath the Aberdeen Bridge. The illicit fishermen have been accused of using wrong fishing methods especially the explosion of dynamite, which has cracked and destroyed most of their building foundations and residences.
Flavius Johnson, one of the residents, disclosed to this medium that the illicit fishing has caused severe damage to their building foundations. According to him, they have made several attempts to stop the illegal fishing within the community.
He furthered that, due to the continuous firing and explosion of dynamite, it has cracked many buildings within the environs. He said he has reported the matter of illicit fishing to relevant authorities at the Pelican Police Post at Aberdeen. He added that he is not in any way discouraging fishermen, but rather he was totally against their method of fishing.
Mr. Johnson continued that both the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Force and the Republic of Sierra Leone Army forces (RSLAF) personnel have made frantic efforts in assisting the Aberdeen Bridge community to stop the illicit fishermen on several occasions, but to no avail. He added that both the military and police personnel have not made any arrest so far.
One of the residents, Aminata, who normally bought fish at Aberdeen Bridge, told this medium that the fishermen have been generous to them and make things easy for them, even though the method of fishing would affect their building foundations.
This medium made an attempt to get in touch with one Inspector Turay, attached to Pelican Police Station, regarding the issue, but he vehemently refused to talk to us, insisting unless he got permission from his boss.