By Kadijatu Bangura | D.S. Reporter
The Executive Director of the National Protected Area Authority, Sheikh Ahmed Tunis, has warned that unchecked sand mining and mangrove destruction along Freetown’s coastline now pose a direct threat to national infrastructure, singling out the Aberdeen Bridge as “no longer safe.”
Speaking on Truth Media on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, Mr. Tunis said the removal of sand and mangroves is eroding the natural defenses that protect coastal communities from sea-level rise, flooding and erosion.
“The only thing that prevents the sea from rising is the sand and mangroves,” he stated. “Yet in the Western Area people continue to extract both, putting communities and critical infrastructure at risk.”
The NPAA boss specifically raised concern over the structural integrity of the Aberdeen Bridge, urging government and citizens to treat its deteriorating condition as a national security issue.
He also highlighted the damage already seen in coastal settlements. In Laka community, he said, several homes have been lost to the effects of coastal degradation. He cited similar pressures in Cockrill and along Wilkinson Road, noting that sand and mangrove extraction remains widespread.
Mr. Tunis commended the Sierra Leone Navy for intervening in Cockrill, where he said their presence has helped to curb illegal activities.
He called for urgent, collective action to protect Sierra Leone’s coastal environment, warning that continued exploitation will amplify risks to lives, property and key public assets.
“Protecting mangroves and sand deposits is not just an environmental issue. It is about safeguarding our roads, bridges and communities from the impacts of climate change,” he added.
NPAA said it will continue to work with security agencies and local authorities to enforce regulations within protected coastal zones.
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