By Michael K Senesie
Sierra Leoneans may like to ask if the Ministry of lands is there to grab private land or community land to convert it into state land, as there has been a lot of pressure and harrasment faced by Sierra Leoneans at the hands of the Ministry of Lands. Citizens’ rights to their properties are being trampled upon by the ministry.
Take for instance the Bogawharf community: the Ministry infiltrated the community on the pretex of planning the community, by constructing modei structures that Will be painted green white and blue, which will serve as accommodation for people in that entire area. It was a welcome message for the people of that community, and the whole area was handed to them to carry on the proposed planning. Unfortunately, nothing was done by the ministry, other than taking a large portion of the land and converting the community land to state land, depriving the people their right and access to their properties. As we speak, the Ministry is now selling the community land to private people. Presently the community lacks so many developmental things, like the absence of a cemetery, no recreational field, etc.
During this writer’s two days working visit, I was able to engage community people, during which they vented out their anger and dissatisfaction with the Ministry. This is just one instance, many other exist, where the ministry has dispossessed Sierra Leoneans of their land. Unfortunately, with the prevalence of such news from various Communities, the government keeps sealed lips, giving the Lands Minister and team a field day.