To modernize Sierra Leone’s urban and rural development landscape, the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning (MLHCP) hosted a stakeholders’ consultation and validation session on the proposed National Country Planning Act, 2024.
The event at the Freetown City Hall on Thursday, 19th September 2024, brought together leaders and representatives from diverse sectors to deliberate on the significance of the new bill, which aims to address the country’s longstanding urban planning challenges.
The Minister of Lands, Dr Turad Senesie, delivered a passionate speech underscoring the urgency of the proposed Act, which he believes will transform the nation’s cities and towns. “The current laws we have are outdated, written in 1946, and they do not address the realities of the 21st century,” Dr Senesie said, referencing Ethiopia’s post-World War II investment in its aviation sector, which has since blossomed into Africa’s most significant. In contrast, Sierra Leone has been slow to revise its laws, leaving t
he country grappling with unregulated urban growth and haphazard building practices.
Dr Senesie stressed that the proposed Act would establish clear guidelines to prevent unplanned communities, where buildings often obstruct access roads and essential services. He cited noise pollution as another pressing issue, particularly in residential areas where churches and mosques use loudspeakers, depriving families of rest and children of study time. The new Act, he revealed, would introduce regulations to minimize noise disturbances in such areas, creating a more harmonious living environment.
Central to the Act is the empowerment of local councils and paramount chiefs, who would play critical roles in implementing urban planning policies. By devolving responsibilities such as building permits to local authorities, the Act seeks to promote accountability at the community level. “This Act will pave the way for more robust regulations that hold people accountable for violations and ensure sustainable community deve
lopment,” Dr. Senesie explained.
The Minister also highlighted the introduction of standardized building codes as a critical feature of the new Act. These codes would ensure that construction practices across the country meet modern safety standards and are suited to the land’s topography, reducing the risk of building collapses and other disasters. “We need to build with the future in mind-using quality materials and constructing in ways that respect the environment and the safety of the people,” he said.
The event marked the culmination of nationwide consultations, with Freetown serving as the final stop in a dialogue that engaged communities nationwide. According to Sahr M. Kanawa, Director of Country Planning, the Act is a product of years of consultations and careful review. “We’ve come a long way since the 1946 Town and Country Planning Act, which has seen only minor updates,” Kanawa noted, adding that with the support of the World Bank through the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP), a South
African consultant was brought in to help revamp the country’s planning laws.
For many in attendance, the proposed Act represents more than just a legal update-it’s a blueprint for the future of Sierra Leone’s urban development. “This is a long-awaited change that will not only address current planning issues but also set the stage for future growth,” said a Council of Paramount Chiefs representative. The session’s focus on accountability and public responsibility was well-received, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for community-wide cooperation to ensure the Act’s success.
Representatives from the Western Area Rural District Council and the Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee for Lands also voiced their support for the Act, praising its potential to foster sustainable development while protecting the rights of landowners and residents. They emphasized the need for continued collaboration between local authorities, the government, and the public to ensure the Act is effectively im
plemented once it becomes law.
As the meeting drew to a close, Dr. Senesie issued a call to action: “This Act is not just about laws-it’s about securing the future of our country. We must put politics aside and focus on what is best for Sierra Leone. No one is bigger than the state, and no one’s rights supersede the state’s rights.”
With this proposed Act, Sierra Leone is poised to take a critical step toward modernizing its urban and rural planning systems, ensuring that future generations inherit a nation that is both sustainable and resilient.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency