The Minister of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning, Dr Turad Senesie, has directed the management of the University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH) to vacate a 7-storey building identified as a potential disaster risk. The directive was issued on Wednesday, 14th August 2024, during a meeting at the Ministry’s Youyi Building office.

Dr. Senesie, with a deep sense of concern, expressed his grave worries over the structure’s safety, which currently accommodates approximately 5,000 students. He emphasized that the building is unfit for use and poses a significant threat to the lives of those who attend lectures there.

During the meeting, the Minister revealed that no building permit was obtained for the facility’s construction, and no architectural or structural drawings were submitted to the Ministry for approval. This lack of compliance with regulatory standards has heightened the government’s concerns.

The Minister underscored the urgency of the situation, ordering an immediate halt to all academi
c activities within the building and instructing that it be evacuated without delay. He assured UNIMTECH management that the Ministry would collaborate with them to secure an alternative location for the university but stressed that safety must be prioritized.

Dr. Senesie also announced that further technical assessments of the building would be conducted by independent engineers in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers and other experts. The Minister’s commitment to ensuring a thorough evaluation of the structure’s integrity is unwavering.

“At the moment, we have early warning signs all over Freetown regarding buildings and construction sites,” Dr Senesie stated, emphasizing the government’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding the lives of its citizens.

Source : Sierra Leone News Agency