By Josephine Sesay
A section of Bai Bureh Road in Freetown was temporarily rendered partially impassable following heavy overnight rains that swept large quantities of garbage onto the roadway, blocking approximately 40 metres of one lane near Portee Brima Lane. The Mayor of Freetown, together with staff of the Freetown City Council (FCC) and in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), promptly mobilised to the affected area to supervise the removal of waste and restore normal traffic flow.
Authorities confirmed that clean-up operations were swiftly activated to clear the debris and ease congestion along the busy corridor. However, officials noted that the incident reflects a persistent urban sanitation challenge that requires collective action beyond municipal intervention. The mayor used the occasion to appeal to residents to desist from dumping waste into drainage channels, warning that blocked drains significantly heighten the risk of flooding and pose threats to lives, property, and livelihoods.
City officials reiterated that indiscriminate waste disposal continues to be a major driver of urban flooding, particularly during the rainy season when heavy rainfall carries refuse into streets and drainage systems. As part of ongoing waste management efforts, residents are being encouraged to register with FCC-approved waste collection service providers to ensure proper and regular garbage disposal. Authorities maintain that sustained public cooperation is essential to achieving a cleaner and more resilient city.
The FCC further stressed that maintaining a flood-free environment depends on shared responsibility, urging communities to adopt proper sanitation practices and actively support citywide cleanliness initiatives. With the rainy season intensifying, stakeholders have warned that continued disregard for waste management guidelines could result in more frequent flooding incidents unless urgent and coordinated action is taken at both individual and community levels.
