Demolition Could Be Counterproductive

In a country, like Sierra Leone, where poverty is the denominator of the life pattern of the citizens, demolition of property that may have been acquired after some hard labour, over many years of servitude, could be a counterproductive stance by any government, no matter how well meaning the exercise. The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), after the demolition spree of Dr. Bobson Sesay, suffered the consequences of the hard line in stance.

That is just one side of the coin. The other side of it is the environmental hazard posed, especially the recent demolition exercise at Lumley beach, leaving the debris materialize into flotsam and jetsam of an ill conceived operation, as the sea deposited the dangerous wreckage at various points not meant to host such unsightly and dangerous objects to swimmers and beach goers. Why the Environmental Protection Agency has not taken any steps to remedy the ugly sight only reminds one that such structures, set by government, are only effective against the poor members of society.

The illegality of the demolition, as reported by the Standard Times tabloid, is not the subject here but the threat posed by the abandoned wreckage, making the beach not only unsightly, but dangerous. The issue of illegal demolition, if any, is a case for the courts but one thing Sierra Leoneans should not forget is the sympathy that the populace normally expresses for the aggrieved parties. It was the manifestation of that sympathy that the Sierra Leone People Party (SLPP) saw in the 2007 elections.

How could the demolition have been prevented? There are various means by which demolition could be prevented:

• Intense sensitization of citizens about illegal construction and unsightly structures, especially at the beach areas, valleys or low lands.
• The ministry of lands preventing illegal structures from coming up.
• Put in place a system of wardens to safeguard government lands, especially those in prohibited areas.

We are living in a fragile democracy and all efforts should be made by all and sundry to make it work, irrespective of our political affiliation or ethnic affinity. The important doctrine for all Sierra Leoneans is “to be our brother’s keeper.”

By Jo-Nyangu

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