By Josephine Sesay
The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, has led a major city-wide sanitation exercise across key areas of Freetown, in a move aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and safeguarding public health. The operation, which drew participation from senior officers of the Sierra Leone Police and partner agencies, targeted major streets, drainage systems, and identified sanitation hotspots within the capital. Personnel were actively engaged in clearing accumulated waste, desilting clogged gutters, and restoring order to public spaces long affected by indiscriminate dumping.
The exercise comes at a critical time as concerns mount over the impact of poor sanitation on flooding and disease outbreaks, particularly with the rainy season approaching. Addressing participants and residents during the exercise, IGP Sellu emphasized that maintaining a clean environment is a collective duty. He called on citizens to take greater responsibility in preserving their surroundings. “Sanitation is not the responsibility of the government or the police alone. It requires the active involvement of every citizen,” he said. “We must all work together to keep our communities clean and safe.”
He further warned against the improper disposal of waste, especially in drainage channels, noting that such practices contribute significantly to flooding and environmental degradation. Across the city, the impact of the exercise was immediately visible, with several previously congested areas cleared of debris and waste. Residents and business owners welcomed the initiative, describing it as both timely and necessary.
A trader operating along one of the affected streets commended the effort, stating that the involvement of the police sends a strong message about the seriousness of the sanitation challenge. Observers say the initiative highlights the growing role of security institutions in supporting public health and environmental management efforts.
They have urged that such exercises be sustained and complemented by continuous public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of sanitation regulations. The sanitation drive has been widely praised as a proactive step toward creating a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Freetown. Stakeholders believe that with consistent collaboration between authorities and citizens, lasting improvements in urban sanitation can be achieved.
