Freetown, 23rd September 2025- Prominent environmentalist Tommy Garnett has issued a stark warning over renewed construction activity within the protected Guma Dam catchment area at Mile 13, describing the situation as “a recipe for disaster” that threatens the safety of the capital.
Speaking during a segment on Truth Morning Devotion, Garnett expressed deep concern over ongoing land clearing and building within the dam’s green belt zone—despite recent government attention to the issue.
“People have already started brushing the land and building again,” Garnett said. “They claim to be working with the authorities, but this is happening just three weeks after the Chief Minister’s visit. It’s clear the law enforcement apparatus is ineffective.”
The Guma Dam, which supplies water to much of Freetown, is surrounded by a designated green belt meant to protect its structural integrity and ecological function. Garnett warned that continued encroachment could expose the dam walls and increase the risk of its collapse.
“Imagine if the dam breaks,” he cautioned. “We’re not just talking about illegal structures, we’re talking about putting the entire city at risk.”
Garnett called for stronger legal action against offenders, urging authorities to move beyond demolition and pursue court prosecutions to deter future violations. He also appealed to Sierra Leoneans to join forces to ensure protection of the environment.
“We shouldn’t just break houses,” he said. “We must take them to court and reprimand them.”
