By Joseph Momoh | D.S Reporter
FREETOWN — The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in collaboration with security forces and technical agencies, has demolished a building under construction near Orugu Bridge in Jui over serious safety and security concerns.
The demolition was carried out on Tuesday, 6th October 2026, following a directive from the National Security Council Coordinating Group (NSCCG), the NDMA confirmed in a statement issued Wednesday.
According to the Agency, the NSCCG flagged concerns about the structure and constituted a technical working group chaired by the NDMA to assess the building and recommend action.
The working group comprised the Office of National Security (ONS), Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP), National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA), Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and other relevant institutions.
Following structural inspection and technical assessment, the group identified what it described as significant safety risks, particularly due to the building’s proximity to Orugu Bridge and a waterway, posing threats to residents, motorists and critical infrastructure. Security concerns were also cited.
Speaking on the exercise, NDMA Director General, John Vandy Rogers, said the operation underscores the need for proactive intervention before hazards turn into disasters.
“We cannot afford to wait for a disaster to occur before taking action. Where technical assessments identify serious risks to lives, property or critical infrastructure, the responsible institutions must act,” Rogers said.
Deputy Director General, Sulaiman B. Sowa, said the decision was purely based on technical findings.
“As an Agency mandated to prepare for, prevent and respond to disaster risks, NDMA has a responsibility to act when significant hazards are identified. This exercise is about addressing the risk before it develops into a more serious emergency,” he noted.
Director of Relief and Response, Sinneh Mansaray, used the occasion to urge developers, engineers and the public to comply with building standards and obtain the necessary approvals before and during construction.
The NDMA warned against erecting structures in prohibited, unsafe and environmentally sensitive areas, especially where such buildings could obstruct waterways or endanger roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
The Agency said the demolition was executed in a coordinated and orderly manner to ensure public safety.
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