By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, Daily Scope
In response to escalating public concerns about lawlessness and inadequate sanitation in Freetown and other urban areas, the Government of Sierra Leone has established a multi-agency task force aimed at restoring order and improving living conditions.
The task force, launched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, represents a significant step in a broader government initiative to reclaim public spaces and tackle the pressing issues plaguing urban environments. Led by Deputy Inspector General of Police Sahr Y. Senesi, this newly formed unit comprises officers and specialists from the Sierra Leone Police, Freetown City Council, Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), and the Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), among other key stakeholders.
Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq, emphasized that the formation of the task force signals a strategic shift in the government’s approach to urban disorder.
“The public’s concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions in our cities, particularly in Freetown, have been heard. This task force is a coordinated effort aimed at enforcing existing regulations while fostering a cleaner, safer, and more orderly urban environment,” Minister Lengor stated during the campaign’s launch in the Central Business District (CBD) of Freetown.
The task force has commenced operations in the CBD, focusing on high-risk areas plagued by street crime, sidewalk encroachment, hazardous commercial motorbike (okada) operations, and illegal vending that disrupt daily activities. Plans are in place to extend their efforts to 23 additional streets identified by the City Council as priority intervention zones.
Minister Lengor underscored the importance of business licensing, clarifying that it should not be an excuse to obstruct public spaces or encroach upon roadways. He also raised concerns about reckless driving, unregulated construction, illegal waste disposal, and noise pollution from nightclubs in residential areas—issues that collectively threaten public safety and exacerbate urban flooding and traffic congestion.
As part of this initiative, the police emergency hotline 900 has been reactivated and is now fully operational across all mobile networks. Citizens are encouraged to use this toll-free number to report disturbances, unsafe activities, and other urgent issues requiring prompt action.
Calling for a collective effort, Minister Lengor urged Sierra Leoneans to adopt the standards of order and sanitation seen in other countries. “National transformation begins with civic discipline. The government can only accomplish so much without the active cooperation of the public,” he emphasized.
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