By Sallieu S, Kanu
Freetown, Oct. 7, 2026: The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), working alongside the Office of National Security (ONS), the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and other government institutions, has demolished a building under construction near Orugu Bridge in Jui following concerns over public safety and infrastructure protection.
The demolition, carried out on Tuesday, was undertaken on the directive of the National Security Council Coordinating Group (NSCCG), which reviewed the risks associated with the structure and subsequently ordered a technical assessment of the site.
The NSCCG, regarded as Sierra Leone’s second-highest body for the consideration and determination of national security matters, mandated the NDMA to lead a technical working group tasked with assessing the situation and recommending appropriate action.
The working group comprised representatives from the NDMA, ONS, National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA), Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), RSLAF, SLP and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
According to findings from the team’s technical assessment and structural inspection, the building posed significant safety concerns due to its close proximity to Orugu Bridge and a nearby waterway. The assessment warned of potential risks to residents, motorists, other road users and critical national infrastructure.
Speaking on the operation, NDMA Director General John Vandy Rogers said the intervention demonstrated the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent disasters before they occur.
“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. This operation reflects our collective commitment to proactive disaster risk reduction and public safety,” Rogers said.
At the demolition site, NDMA Deputy Director General Sulaiman B. Sowa said the action was guided by the technical findings and aimed at preventing possible loss of life, protecting property and safeguarding vital infrastructure.
“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 stated.
The demolition was conducted as a coordinated security and technical operation to ensure the exercise was carried out safely and in an orderly manner.
Also addressing the media, NDMA Director of Relief and Response Sinneh Mansaray called for greater compliance with building regulations, construction standards and approval processes.
He urged developers, engineers and property owners to secure all necessary permits and obtain technical guidance before commencing construction projects.
The NDMA further warned members of the public against constructing buildings in prohibited, unsafe or environmentally sensitive locations, particularly areas that obstruct waterways or threaten roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
The agency said developers who violate established regulations risk enforcement actions, stressing that construction in high-risk locations endangers lives and property.
The demolition at Orugu Bridge underscores the NDMA’s commitment to proactive disaster risk reduction and its continued collaboration with security and government institutions to protect lives, property and critical national infrastructure across Sierra Leone.