As the rainy season arrives earlier than expected, the Freetown City Council (FCC) finds itself grappling with the consequences of unanticipated heavy rainfall and the challenges it poses to flood mitigation efforts.

The FCC’s flood mitigation activities, which commenced on April 3rd at Juba Bridge, were initially progressing as planned. However, the early onset of heavy rains has accelerated the need for intensified efforts across the city.

The situation was exacerbated by the unfortunate practice of some residents emptying their garbage into gutters and waterways during the rain, leading to the overflow of key drains and gutters, including at Portee.

Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr expressed her commitment to addressing the challenges head-on, stating, “The Deputy Mayor, the Chief Administrator, the FCC team, and I were out on the streets until way after dark to ensure that we effectively addressed the situation at Portee and elsewhere. All roads were cleared, and residents were sensitized in the process.”

Despite the setback, the FCC remains steadfast in its flood mitigation efforts, with activities continuing in areas like Lumley and Kroo Bay. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr remains optimistic about the positive impact of expanded public space cleaning and ongoing flood mitigation activities in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, the FCC is actively working to strengthen sanitation bylaws, awaiting parliamentary approval for their implementation. In the meantime, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr issued a reminder to Freetonians to dispose of garbage responsibly and refrain from using unauthorized waste service providers.

The FCC emphasizes the importance of collective action in maintaining a clean and safe environment for all residents of Freetown, urging adherence to proper waste disposal practices to mitigate the impact of the early rainy season havoc.