The Recently Collapsed Structures at Kissy Shell And Others
The recently collapsed structures at Kissy Shell as well as past incidents, require urgent attention. This is a multiple occupancy building, and there is a standard process for approving such structures in most countries around the world.
Courtesy: Victor Ako Mengot
A systematic approach to building control and the granting of building permits
September 16, 2024
Salone needs a regulatory body to look at the building code and building materials that are being sold to home builders. Sierra Leone hasn’t had any form of structural governing body since the 80s.
Courtesy: Victor Ako MengotThe recently collapsed structures at Kissy Shell as well as past incidents, require urgent attention.
This is a multiple occupancy building, and there is a standard process for approving such structures in most countries around the world.
This should be done through a multi-agency approach considering the mandate of relevant institutions in Sierra Leone as a case study example.
INSTITUTIONAL MANDATE
Local Government (FCC) to ensure that it conforms with the City Structure Plan (if there is any); building use classes order; and issues relating to waste management.
SLRA - accessibility to avoid encroachment in the Right of Way.
Ministry of Lands - issues relating to building plans/permits and development control.
National Fire Service - use of non-combustible materials, etc.
EDSA - matters relating to the quality of cabling materials and wiring of the building.
SLRSA/FCC - parking management.
Some building owners cut corners (put for me) or rush to get these building constructions up just to cash in.
THE PROCESS
How should it be done.
Submission of building plan to the Ministry of Lands. This function can be devolved to local government. This is the application for a building permit.
Search for the ownership of the plot, including the conveyance document.
Site inspection by building/development control Inspectors.
Contact property owners in the immediate vicinity to check that the structure would not have adverse effects on surrounding properties.
Guma Valley - access to the water grid and issues to do with the drainage system to prevent pollution of the water grid.
Granting of building permits subject to periodic checks after construction by building inspectors; Fire service; local council officials (waste management during construction); and Electrical Engineers (EDSA).
Certification by the Lands Ministry that the building is fit for occupancy.
“REQUIRE URGENT ATTENTION! A systematic approach is necessary to building control and the granting of building permits. Too many collapsed structures and deaths of innocent people.”
“HOW THINGS FELL APART”
Freetown is the first planned city in West Africa, developed using a grid system for 250,000 inhabitants. It had forest reserve areas, zoning of buildings for various socio-economic activities, and effective city and rural administration. Flashback to the Wellington Industrial Estate and the emergence of the ‘Bomeh’ waste disposal site.
The FCC had a Planning and Building Control Directorate, City Engineers Department, and Sanitary Division (environmental protection). Over the years, politics rendered local government dysfunctional.
Population explosion also led to unplanned settlement in areas like Dworzac; Sorie Tong, which was a reserved FBC botanical preservation area, Kamayama; Kuntolor, etc. Not to talk about encroachment in the Hills and Valleys that now echoing our cry.
We have all these bylaws and policies/plans in our archives that made Freetown a liveable city. FCC was even providing loans for housing I.e., to replace houses with thatched roofs (bamboo-ose). This brought about the introduction of houses on stilts (long fut-ose).
The rationale for this is that the owner will later build accommodation for rent at the bottom. As we say in Krio nar landlord for dae nar up garret.
My simple message is in Krio: “If we nor noe usai we dae go, leh we noe usai we comot.” Lonta!
Freetown City Council (FCC) By-Laws: Any person(s) who contravenes these provisions commits an offense and shall be liable.
Sierra Leone: Devastation After Fuel Tanker Collision
Friday, November 5, 2021: A fuel tanker exploded following a collision in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, killing at least 99 people and injuring a dozen others, officials said.
Around the Wellington PMB area
A fuel tanker exploded following a collision in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, killing at least 99 people and injuring a dozen others, officials said.
The explosion took place late on Friday, November 5, 2021, after a vehicle struck the tanker in Wellington, a suburb east of the capital, Freetown.
Fuel spilled before igniting, and the resulting inferno engulfed bystanders, those trying to scoop fuel from the tanker, and vehicles at a busy intersection.
Several badly burned victims lay on the streets as flames blazed through shops and houses nearby. The extent of property damage was as yet unknown. Several eyewitnesses narrated in a video. Dozens of people are feared dead.
President Julius Maada Bio, who was in Scotland attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in a Tweet, said he was “deeply disturbed by the tragic fires and the horrendous loss of life.”
People survey the extent of the damage
Charred Motorcycle
In pictures (Courtesy BBC): Sierra Leone devastation after Freetown fuel tanker collision
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said she saw “harrowing” photos, according to the BBC Africa.
After visiting the scene, Vice-President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said it was a "national disaster."
Doctors and nurses were doing their best under very difficult conditions with limited resources and equipment to provide care
President Julius Maada Bio on Sunday declared three days of national mourning following the death of over one hundred people. He promised to set up a Presidential Task Force that will investigate the causes of the disaster and make recommendations for change.
Mass Burial in Freetown. Many of the victims burnt beyond recognition - will be buried in the same cemetery as victims of the 2017 landslide
Mass Burial in Freetown. Many of the victims burnt beyond recognition will be buried in the same cemetery as victims of the 2017 landslide.
Last updated: 11/13 - 06:56 EST.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson on Saturday, that he was “deeply saddened by the extensive loss of life”, resulting from the crash, when the tanker collided with a lorry at a busy junction in the suburb of Wellington, spilling fuel, before igniting.
“The Secretary-General extends his deep condolences to the people and Government of Sierra Leone, and wishes those injured a speedy recovery”, said the statement.
Support on-going
“The United Nations is prepared to provide the necessary support in the aftermath of this tragic incident”, it continued.
The UN Office in Sierra Leone also issued a statement, wishing “fortitude and peace to the bereaved families, and the Government and people of Sierra Leone, in this period of grief.”
“Furthermore, as partners in the country’s development aspirations”, the UN family in the West African nation said it was closely monitoring the situation and would work with the Government to overcome what the country’s Vice-President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, reportedly described as a “national disaster”, after visiting the scene of the crash.
Specialized support
The World Health Organization (WHO) tweeted on Saturday that it was “mobilizing specialized supplies.”
“We are working to deploy burnt-patient care experts. We will provide more support as needed, at this terrible time for the people of Sierra Leone.”
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