The Minister of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, has called on staff to accelerate the processing of building permits, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and timeliness in issuing permits. Dr. Senesie made this statement during a meeting with ministry officials on Tuesday, 1st October 2024, at the Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown.

Addressing the persistent delays in issuing building permits, Dr. Senesie urged all staff to exert “the desired efforts” to ensure the process is handled efficiently. He highlighted the necessity of distinguishing between permits for commercial and residential purposes, stressing that such classification is crucial for revenue generation. The Minister warned against issuing single applications for mixed-use purposes, stating that this practice results in significant revenue loss for the Ministry and, by extension, the Government of Sierra Leone.

“As a revenue-generating ministry, we cannot afford these lapses,” he remarked, adding that the
Ministry is working on introducing a Country Planning Act and developing building codes to guide land development practices.

Dr. Senesie also emphasized the critical role of the building inspectorate in ensuring that permits are used appropriately on the ground. He called on inspectors to be vigilant and visit construction sites regularly to ensure compliance with the terms of issued permits. He noted that any deviations from approved plans must be reported promptly to prevent unauthorized developments.

In his address, the Minister stressed the need for capacity building within the Ministry, encouraging staff to enhance their skills to improve efficiency. He reminded staff that, as the Minister, he is responsible for providing policy direction, but they must implement these directives properly. “If things go wrong, I will be held accountable to the public,” he said.

Despite recent efforts, including digitalizing the building permit process with support from the World Bank, Dr. Senesie acknowledged ongoing
public complaints about permit delays. He urged staff to address these concerns swiftly to restore public confidence in the system.

Source: Sierra Leone News Agency