By George M. O. Williams
The Deputy Director of Housing of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Abu Bakarr Jalloh on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, told Premier News that the enforcement of building regulations is constrained by a lack of manpower, equipment, and financial resources, hostility against law enforcement officers, and interference by ‘interests from above’.
It should be noted that there has been a surge in the cases of building structures collapsing and putting at risk the lives of many in Freetown. This trend has caused Sierra Leoneans to question the supervisory role of the Ministry of Lands Housing and Country Planning in the issuance of building permits and the inspection of structures under construction.
Additionally, building experts believe that the inspection of the quality of imported building materials is lacking from the appropriate authorities.
Building experts have understood that some of the above factors have contributed to the collapse of structures under construction in Freetown.
Jalloh added that the increase in the collapse of buildings should be partly attributed to a lack of professionalism from contractors and surveyors, and certain government departments and agencies like the Standards Bureau, Ministry of Works, and manufacturers of building materials.
He mentioned that manufacturers’ specifications, especially on the length of iron rods have proven to be false, and such false representations of specifications are eventually used in the construction of structures due to the negligence of manufacturers.
In that regard, Jalloh urged the authorities responsible for the inspection of the quality of building materials should be vigilant in their approach, adding that the Ministry would soon establish a national laboratory for the testing of building materials.
He added that the Lands Ministry aims at ensuring safe and lasting structures, and mentioned that before buildings are erected the Ministry does soil investigation, and advises individuals on the type of structural foundation to be adopted to match with the structure that would have been approved following a successful application for the issuance of a building permit.
He added that the Ministry will be domesticating the International Building Code for Sierra Leone to ensure safety in the building environment and industry.
Jalloh mentioned that the Building Code would enhance amenities and promote sustainable development to authorise the making of regulations and other matters connected.
“It will also provide for building and regulations standards; Establish a national building review board and building control committees; Promote and ensure planned, decent, and safe building structures that are developed in harmony with the environment; Ensure the protection and preservation of the natural environment; protect and preserve all historic and cultural sites and structure and all other related development…” he stated.