NPPA Commits To Protecting Aberdeen Creek
By Cornelius Eku Randall
The National Protected Area Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation sponsored by the Sierra Leone Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP), on the 10th June 2024 engaged stakeholders of the Newtown and Bonga Town communities on restoration and protection of mangroves in the Aberdeen Creek Communities.
The representative of the Executive Director, Mr. Samuel Ibrahim Kobba, educated them on the importance of the project and encouraged the communities to embrace the project. He highlighted that the restoration of the mangroves would in the future serve as safeguard to the environment and communities’ livelihoods. He concluded by encouraging community stakeholders to sign the agreement with the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), as it would serve as a binding document between the Authority and the communities in protecting the Creek.
The Wetlands Manager, Yatta Hellen Kamara, explained to the communities how important it is to protect the mangroves. She emphasized on the stopping of all wetlands banking, and encouraged communities to take good care of the Mangrove ecosystems for climate change resilience and disaster risks reduction.
Statements were made by other key partners such as RSLAF Navy, Marine Police, Ministry of Fisheries, Freetown City Council, Biological department of Fourah Bay College and some NGOs working on wetlands and mangroves.
The signing of the agreement by relevant stakeholders climaxed the ceremony.