By: Saidu Jalloh
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has warned that indiscriminate dumping of rubbish on the streets of Freetown constitutes a criminal offence and has directed the Sierra Leone Police to take firm action against offenders.
The Vice President made the remarks while addressing issues of public safety and environmental sanitation, stressing that refuse dumped in public spaces is not accidental but the result of deliberate human actions.
He emphasized that police officers deployed across the city must take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness at their respective checkpoints, particularly at strategic locations such as Mile 38 and other major security points, which he described as “entry and control points that should reflect order and discipline.”
Dr. Jalloh warned that anyone found dumping refuse near police stations or checkpoints should be arrested and charged, noting that such acts undermine public safety and weaken law enforcement efforts.
“If a person leaves their home to dump rubbish at a checkpoint or police station, that individual should be jailed,” the Vice President said, adding that officers who ignore such behaviour risk encouraging indiscipline.
He further cautioned that the failure of police personnel to enforce sanitation laws could pose serious security risks, as accumulated rubbish could be exploited by criminal elements.
The Vice President disclosed that he has convened a meeting with the Mayor of Freetown to address the growing challenge of indiscriminate dumping, which he described as an emerging urban crime requiring coordinated action.
According to him, the central government and local authorities must work together to ensure regular waste collection, maintain cleanliness across the city, and discipline individuals who deliberately engage in acts of public disorder.
Dr. Jalloh reiterated that maintaining public cleanliness is a shared responsibility but stressed that the police have a primary role in enforcing public safety and order.
He urged officers to pay closer attention to activities around checkpoints and ensure that areas under their watch are kept clean, rather than focusing solely on traffic control.