By Kadijatu Bangura, Staff Reporter
In her New Year address, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr outlined significant achievements of the Freetown City Council (FCC) during 2025, highlighting progress in waste management and infrastructure projects, while also raising alarms regarding funding shortages and an alarming drug crisis.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr announced that a comprehensive annual report detailing the council’s activities and impact would soon be released, declaring 2025 a year of resilience marked by notable advancements despite ongoing challenges.
Central to her remarks was the overhaul of the city’s sanitation sector. The FCC introduced new Waste Management Byelaws, mandating compulsory waste collection and involving the private sector for greater efficiency. “We engaged over 700 Community Engagement and Enforcement Workers to educate residents about the new regulations under the ‘Dorti Mus Go’ campaign,” Aki-Sawyerr detailed. The management of the Kingtom (Bomeh) dumpsite has transitioned to Sierra Forever Green Ltd. This change aims to reduce operational costs and implement plastics recycling, which is expected to create over 500 jobs.
On the environmental front, Aki-Sawyerr highlighted the “FreetownTheTreetown” initiative, which generated 2,500 direct jobs for youth and women as tree trackers and field monitors. The city also made strides toward carbon accreditation, with project documents awaiting submission to the Verra Carbon Registry.
Infrastructure milestones were also showcased, including the inauguration of the Wilberforce Village Market Complex and the construction of perimeter walls at Kissy Road and Ascension Town cemeteries, all funded through the FCC’s own-source revenue thanks to compliant taxpayers. Additionally, construction has started on the Susan’s Bay Care Block, designed to empower women with adult education and skills training while providing care for their dependents.
International collaborations have borne fruit, such as a CHF 2.5 million partnership with Zurich for urban regeneration in the Central Business District. While pavement works faced delays in December, they are slated to begin early in January.
Despite these successes, Aki-Sawyerr pointed to the significant challenge posed by the non-disbursement of devolved funds from the central government for 2025, which she said has adversely affected primary health care and other vital sectors.
The Mayor also examined the social crisis linked to the “Kush” pandemic, noting a troubling rise in illegal garbage dumping among youth trying to finance their habits. “The presence of corpses on the streets is a stain on our city and cannot be overlooked,” she emphasized, urging for communal efforts to combat the drug epidemic.
Reflecting on civic engagement, Aki-Sawyerr commended the nearly 600 residents who attended an FCC Town Hall Meeting in June to voice their opposition to the proposed division of Freetown, describing it as a reaffirmation of inclusive governance.
In conclusion, she expressed gratitude to the Deputy Mayor, councillors, staff, and development partners, and conveyed optimism for the ongoing mission to “Transform Freetown and Transform Lives.”
For further information, please contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
