By Sallieu S. Kanu
The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) has continued its demolition exercise at Aberdeen Creek, part of the Sierra Leone River Estuary, as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard protected areas across the country.
Aberdeen Creek is an internationally recognised Ramsar site, valued for its wetland and coastal ecosystem that supports biodiversity and sustains communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing and related activities.
The latest exercise was led by NPAA Executive Director Sheikh Ahmed Tunis, Deputy Executive Director Dwight Z.K. Sheriff, and their team, with support from personnel of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
Officials said the operation targets structures and activities encroaching on the protected area, reinforcing government efforts to preserve environmentally sensitive sites.
Community stakeholder Abubakarr Turay told the media that residents were willing to support NPAA’s mission but urged authorities to clearly demarcate the boundaries of the creek to avoid confusion and disputes. He stressed that once proper boundaries are established, the community is prepared to cooperate fully with the authorities.
The NPAA’s continued intervention underscores the importance of protecting Sierra Leone’s wetlands from encroachment and activities that threaten their ecological value. Officials say community cooperation, clear demarcation, and sustained engagement will be essential to ensuring the long-term protection of Aberdeen Creek and the wider Sierra Leone River Estuary.
Depletion of Aberdeen Creek
Aberdeen Creek, once a thriving mangrove ecosystem in Freetown, has suffered severe environmental degradation over the past two decades. Key drivers include:
- Illegal construction: Unregulated housing and business structures have encroached on the creek, destroying mangrove cover and narrowing waterways.
- Sand mining: Excessive extraction has destabilized the shoreline, leading to erosion and habitat loss.
- Waste dumping: Household and industrial waste has polluted the water, threatening fish stocks and bird habitats.
- Mangrove deforestation: Cutting down mangroves for firewood and land reclamation has stripped the area of its natural flood defenses and breeding grounds for marine life.
Environmental experts warn that continued depletion undermines Freetown’s resilience against flooding and climate change, while eroding livelihoods for fishing communities. The demolition exercise is therefore seen not only as an enforcement measure but as a critical step toward restoring ecological balance and protecting Sierra Leone’s natural heritage.