By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, Sierra Leone — The World Bank-funded Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP) held a public disclosure meeting on Friday, June 13, 2025, to discuss the resettlement plan for residents affected by upcoming urban infrastructure development in the Coconut, Moyiba, and Portee communities.
The meeting, which took place at Hotel 5/10 in the East End of Freetown, served as a platform for affected persons to engage with project consultants and government officials on relocation plans, potential social impacts, and mitigation strategies.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Titus Williams, emphasized the significance of community cooperation in ensuring the long-term success of the project. He urged residents to actively participate and take ownership of the initiative.
Lead consultant Olubumi Olorundare provided an overview of the resettlement assessment, detailing its focus on raising awareness, identifying adverse impacts, proposing mitigation measures, and ensuring compliance with both Sierra Leonean law and World Bank guidelines.
According to Olorundare, 941 individuals will be affected by the resettlement process. He noted that damages have been identified across 297 structures, including 107 residential buildings, 160 commercial properties, 23 mixed-use structures, three unfinished buildings, and four institutional sites. Of these, 203 buildings will be fully affected.
The National Commission for Social Action (NaSCA), represented by Maada Gombu, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the welfare of displaced residents, stressing the importance of minimizing harm during relocation.
Similarly, Local Government Representative Michael S. Vandi highlighted the need for strong community engagement to attract additional donor support amid Sierra Leone’s economic challenges.
Traditional leader Chief Alimany Kamara pledged his full cooperation throughout the project’s duration, emphasizing the community’s urgent need for infrastructure development and their willingness to collaborate with authorities.
The RUSLP aims to upgrade essential urban facilities, including road networks, drainage systems, asphalt surfacing, single carriageways, sanitation infrastructure, and street lighting.
The meeting marks a critical step in ensuring transparency and adherence to international standards in the resettlement process, as preparations for the full-scale implementation of the urban development project continue.