Ministry of Lands Engages Western Area Rural Stakeholders on New Planning Regulations
By Sorie Sesay
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, held a stakeholder engagement with authorities of the Western Area Rural District Council to discuss the newly introduced National Country Planning Regulations. The meeting, held at the Council Hall in Waterloo, formed part of the Ministry’s nationwide consultations and sensitization efforts.
Speaking at the event, Paramount Chief David Kelili-Coomber IV, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Customary Land Rights, commended the Minister of Lands for what he described as “consistent respect and collaboration” with traditional leaders. He said this approach has united chiefs across the country and strengthened their support for the Ministry’s land-related interventions.
Chief Kelili highlighted the passage of two major laws within the last five years—the Customary Land Rights Act and the National Commission Act—stating that chiefs played a key role in their development. He stressed that while the Western Area accounts for just 0.8% of Sierra Leone’s land, the remaining 99.2% falls under the jurisdiction of paramount chiefs. He warned that land transactions or development activities in these areas must not occur without the knowledge of traditional authorities.
He added that continued engagement between the Ministry and chiefs is vital to ensuring long-term national planning, noting that chiefs are committed to supporting new government housing initiatives.
In his address, Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, said the Ministry has, over the past five years, established several institutions nationwide to resolve long-standing land challenges. He noted that Sierra Leone has operated under outdated land laws from 1946, as successive governments failed to introduce necessary reforms.
Dr. Senesie announced the introduction of the National Country Planning Act 2025, which he said is designed to address decades of poor planning and irregular land use. He emphasized that land ultimately belongs to the state and condemned illegal land grabbing and construction in prohibited zones, including swamps and access roads.
The Minister said the absence of proper planning has left many communities without essential infrastructure such as markets, hospitals, and community centers. The new Act, he added, aims to ensure orderly development and the creation of well-planned settlements across the country.
Dr. Senesie praised President Julius Maada Bio, local councils, and traditional leaders for their support and urged citizens to comply with land regulations. He concluded that unauthorized construction without Ministry approval remains a major contributor to the country’s planning challenges.
