The Recently Collapsed Structures at Kissy Shell And Others

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A systematic approach to building control and the granting of building permits

September 16, 2024

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READ Sierra Leone Unapproved Construction poses a significant risk to both the community and individuals, raising concerns about safety, sanitation, and environmental protection.

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 Mengot

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.

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.

This is a multiple occupancy building! Upon further reporting

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.

  1. Search for the ownership of the plot, including the conveyance document.

  2. Site inspection by building/development control Inspectors.

  3. Contact property owners in the immediate vicinity to check that the structure would not have adverse effects on surrounding properties.

  4. Guma Valley - access to the water grid and issues to do with the drainage system to prevent pollution of the water grid.

  5. 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).

  6. 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.”
— Freetown, Sierra Leone Destruction: In Video
 
“HOW THINGS FELL APART”
— The Demise of Land Use Planning in The Western Area: An Historical Perspective

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!

Sierra Leone Parliamentary Watch Facebook Page

 

Freetown City Council (FCC) By-Laws: Any person(s) who contravenes these provisions commits an offense and shall be liable.