By George M.O. Williams
Experts have attributed the collapse of many storey buildings and fences in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, which claimed the lives of 13 people in July and August 2024, to the utilisation of substandard building materials and poor engineering design.
This revelation was made during the monthly Inter-Pillar Coordination Meeting (IPCM) which was organised on August 22, 2024, by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and its partners, including government ministries, agencies, the Institute of Engineers, non-governmental organisations, the Standards Bureau, Sierra Leone Police, Fire Force, and the Republic Sierra Leone Armed Forces, to address the alarming rise in building downfalls, particularly in Freetown.
The NDMA and its partners have committed to working together to conduct timely risk assessments, identify hazards, and take swift action to prevent further tragedies, thereby safeguarding lives and property.
The persistent downpours in Freetown since July have worsened the situation, leading to the collapse of multiple buildings and fences.
During the meeting, Engineer Trudy Morgan, outgoing president of the Institute of Engineers, presented on building construction standards, emphasizing the critical factors leading to structural failures in the city. She highlighted that many individuals bypassed qualified engineers in favour of unqualified so-called engineers who used substandard materials, greatly increasing the risk of the collapse of buildings.
Her views were also re-echoed by other experts at the meetings.
Engineer Frank Martin from the Standards Bureau acknowledged the challenges his agency faces in assessing the quality of building materials. He noted that while the bureau requests manufacturer certificates and information on the origin of imported materials, they lack the necessary resources to undertake comprehensive assessments of building materials.
The NDMA has consistently, through its outreach engagements, reiterated the importance of adhering to building safety standards and the dangers posed by substandard construction practices. Furthermore, the agency has classified building and fence collapses as a major hazard and is urging citizens to engage qualified engineers and use high-quality materials in their construction projects to prevent future tragedies.
The meeting also addressed the recent widespread flooding across the country.
Ronald Turay, Senior Relief and Response Officer at the NDMA, provided an overview of the flooding that has devastated towns and villages nationwide, reporting extensive damage, including vast areas of submerged farmland, homes, and public facilities, severely impacting local communities.
Several partners present at the meeting pledged to provide support to the affected farmers and other victims, including livelihood assistance.
The NDMA’s ongoing IPCM meetings, alongside its various pillar group meetings, continue to play a vital role in implementing major risk reduction interventions, preventing numerous disasters, and providing relief support to those affected by emergencies.