By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
In a move to save lives and properties, the Director of Communications of the National Disaster Management Agency, Mohamed L. Bah has raised serious concerns over the construction of a similar building opposite the collapsed building that claimed the lives of many people on Shell New Road in Freetown.
“This structure is built over a major waterway,” he stated, adding that it has been historically used as a dumpsite.
‘’These images show a building under construction adjacent to the site of the seven-story building that collapsed at Shell New Road on Monday 16 September, 2024. The building spans approximately three stories from the ground level to the street and an additional four stories above the street, with potential plans for further expansion,’’ he further explained.
Bah stated that the design of the upper stories, which appears to be intended for commercial use and warehousing, raises significant concerns, as they are likely to house heavy merchandise.
“This, combined with the possibility of gradual erosion beneath the structure due to its location on a compromised waterway, creates a high-risk situation. The added weight from stored goods in the future will only increase pressure on the foundations, making the building vulnerable to collapse. It is reassuring that construction on the site has been halted,’’ Bah lamented, thus adding that allowing such construction to continue could result in a disaster similar to the one that occurred nearby, potentially leading to loss of lives and properties.
He went to cite the potential dangers if the building is allowed to continue by citing structural integrity risks, increased load, and future expansion of the said building; thus raising alarm for authorities to halt the construction of the building which is an essential step towards preventing further risks.
‘’Continuing with the construction could only lead to catastrophic outcomes similar to what we have just witnessed,’’ the NDMA senior official warned.
‘’The building is erected over a waterway, compromising its foundation. Continued erosion over time will weaken the base, making it susceptible to collapse. The upper stories are designated for commercial use, meaning they will likely store heavy goods. This increased weight poses a significant risk to the overall stability, especially considering the weakened foundation.’’
Meanwhile, the same area on Monday saw a seven storey building collapse which has so far killed over twelve (12) people and left over seven (7) survivors who are currently hospitalized in Rokupa and Choithram hospital respectively.
The reason for the collapse has not been known, but many believe that the building collapsed as a result of poor construction and that the building was built on water ways.
“Rescue teams are currently clearing rubble on the third floor to access lower levels where more residents are believed to be trapped. Operations will continue progressively downwards,’’ the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) said in a statement on Wednesday.
However, the country’s disaster agency said that despite the use of heavy machinery, rescue operations have been significantly hindered by the lack of access to the ground level causing more worries for families whose relatives have since been trapped under the seven-storey building.
‘’Excavators and cranes are working from the top, lifting heavy debris and clearing broken floors to reach the lower levels,’’ NDMA added.
Meanwhile, there has been a growing concern from locals and other authorities for the ministry of lands to step up in increasing its supervision on buildings across the country.
