By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
High river tide flooded through a local community at the Allentown Community on Tuesday leaving residents in a state of fear of losing their homes and properties worth millions.
Sulaiman Sow, a resident living close to the river bank at the Allentown Community spoke to an A-Z reporter on the plights of residents in the community.
He said when it rains at night; he and his entire family stay up because it’s hard to sleep knowing that water might enter the house and destroy their properties he said.
He further stated that even during the day, the situation is worst and more embarrassing, especially for the children, he said is impossible to control the movements of the children especially when it rains.
He narrated his sad experience that in 2021 his 2 years of age daughter fell into the river and was fortunate enough to be home and save his daughter, while his wife went to the market to cook for them.
Kadiatu Turay, a mother of three accentuated Sow’s statement that children in the community are at high risk of danger in such a high tide situation.
She informs this medium that children’s lives are more important than property and for that, she has already warned her children not to go near the river.
She also said that she’s aware of the risks associated with living close to the river and that she is endangering the lives of her children but that she does not have enough money to relocate to a better place, as the cost of living is cost effective especially as a single parent who had lost her husband a few years ago and that for the time being has to live in that condition till she is rescued by any good Samaritan.