NDMA Orders Immediate Halt to Illegal Excavation at Leicester Peak, Arrests Made
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has ordered an immediate stop to all excavation activities at Leicester Peak following a high-risk assessment of ongoing illegal land works on the hilltop. The move comes after a formal complaint from a Member of Parliament residing in the area.
A joint team from the NDMA and the Sierra Leone Police conducted an emergency site inspection on Tuesday, uncovering unauthorized and hazardous excavation on two adjacent plots of land. The properties, located near Haja Mattia Drive, are owned by one Fatmata Jalloh, who was absent during the visit. The excavation had already removed significant portions of earth and exposed large boulders, increasing the risk of a landslide and threatening the safety of residents living downslope.
Authorities arrested Babatunde Samuel Kamara, the construction engineer overseeing the project, along with the site operator and Ibrahim Jah, the landowner’s brother. All three are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
“This activity is not only illegal, but it also poses an imminent threat to human lives and infrastructure,” said Paul Thomas, NDMA’s Director of Regional Coordination, who led the inspection. “We have ordered a complete stop to all operations. Any violation of this directive will be met with severe legal consequences.”
The NDMA team also inspected another excavation site along Rockville Drive, where similar unauthorized work was ongoing. Ibrahim Sesay, the site’s caretaker, was issued a strict warning and told to halt all activities immediately.
Leicester Peak, classified as a protected ecological zone, plays a crucial role in maintaining the environmental stability of the Western Area. NDMA’s Director of Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Abu Bakar Bangura, emphasized the environmental danger posed by such illegal activities.
“This area is not only vital for biodiversity but also shields lower communities from potential disasters,” Bangura said. “Disturbing its integrity invites serious consequences.”
Gerald King, the NDMA’s Western Area Coordinator, echoed similar concerns, warning of the dangers of tampering with hilltop terrain. “Excavating mud and boulders from this height accelerates erosion and increases the likelihood of slope failure during the rainy season,” he said.
A follow-up inspection was also carried out at Southridge Hills, near the United States Embassy, where officials gave similar orders to cease work immediately.
The NDMA is working closely with community stakeholders and enforcement agencies to prevent further environmental violations and mitigate disaster risks nationwide.
Citizens are urged to report any suspicious or unsafe construction activity by calling the NDMA’s toll-free emergency line at 1199.
