March 2, 2021
By Aruna Kamara (Bo)
The Regional Coordinator of the National Protected Area in the Southern Region, Brima Koroma has said that they have received reports of rampant illegal sand mining in the national protected areas within the South region. He promised to deploy seventy one game guards to protect the environment.
Speaking to this medium at the Forestry department in Bo last weekend, Mr. Koroma said that Bo District needs more game guards because of the tough illicit mining in the protected areas.
He lamented that the illicit mining going on around the rivers in the protected areas has created some health implication, adding that if the water is polluted as a result of the illicit mining activities resident lives would be at risk.
Brima said that five hundred game guards were recruited across the country and they have so far received 50; awaiting the others to come before deploying them to various areas including; Tiwa Island and the Kankari hills, among the others.
He however, said that they have visited stakeholders in the District to inform them about the presence of game guards and the southern region as a whole and they will also be engaging the radio to sensitize the people in the region about the deployment of the guards and they role they will be performing in these protected areas.
Brima noted that the people should not misunderstand them as Military Personnel, even though their outfit is similar with the Republic of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces but the difference is that there is a black strap running down their uniform.
He explained that in other countries in the West Africa, the game guards wear the same uniform with the military because they also go throw similar military exercises.
The game Guard, Mr. Brima said are charged with the responsibility to protect the terrestrial and wetlands across the country.
Speaking to this medium, heads of civil society led organizations with thematic areas on environment protection said they are happy to see the guards around and they want to see immediate deployment as they should be seen discharging their duties.
The National Coordinator of Children and Youth For Peace Agency, Momoh Kamara said that there has been too much encroachment on the wetlands. He said it is good for the Game Guards to work in collaboration with the Lands Ministry, the environment and the Environment Protection Agency and the paramount chiefs to ensure that the people stop building on the wetlands and swamps.
He called on the game guards not to compromise with anyone who wants to encroach on the wetlands, adding that the paramount chiefs should also ensure that they do not sign on land document that is a wetland.
Mr. Kamara said that he will monitor the work of the game guards to ensure the environment is protected.