By Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope Reporter
In a decisive effort to combat illegal mining, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has destroyed 199 dredges across several districts in Sierra Leone, including Tonkolili, Bombali, Kenema, Kailahun, Kono, and Bo. This large-scale operation marks a significant stance against environmental violations and the protection of the nation’s ecosystems.
The crackdown, captured in a newly released video, highlights the critical threats that illegal mining poses to Sierra Leone’s rivers and natural resources. EPA Executive Chairman Dr. Abu-Bakar S. Massaquoi addressed three pressing issues that have emerged from the operation. He pointed out that complicity in these illegal activities is more prevalent within local communities than previously recognized, with some residents actively supporting such operations.
Investigations have revealed connections between these illicit activities and organized cross-border networks, implicating non-nationals from countries such as China, India, Liberia, and Ghana. Dr. Massaquoi emphasized the importance of pairing enforcement actions with sustainable livelihood alternatives to tackle the underlying causes of illegal mining. He urged for enhanced public awareness regarding the environmental and economic repercussions these activities inflict on local communities.
As a non-subvented agency, the EPA’s ability to sustain these extensive operations is dependent on resource availability, whistle-blower incentives, and the effectiveness of Community Environmental Enforcement Committees (CEECOMs). Furthermore, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs is called upon to hold local leaders accountable in these efforts.
The EPA encourages citizens to report illegal mining activities through its toll-free hotline at 1999, reinforcing the message that protecting the nation’s rivers is a collective responsibility.
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