By Davida Spaine‑Solomon
Freetown, 5th May 2026– A two‑hour downpour early Tuesday morning turned parts of eastern Freetown into rivers of waste and floodwater, exposing the city’s deepening sanitation crisis. Portee Brima Lane was among the worst hit, as blocked drainage channels sent water mixed with garbage flowing through the streets, halting traffic and disrupting daily life.
By sunrise, heaps of plastic bottles, food wrappers, and household waste lined the roads, carried by runoff from clogged gutters. Residents waded through knee‑deep water to reach homes and workplaces, while vehicles struggled to navigate the submerged route.
“This is not just about rain, it’s about accountability,” said one commuter, visibly frustrated
The flooding at Portee Brima Lane mirrors a recurring pattern across the capital, where poor waste disposal and weak drainage maintenance combine to worsen seasonal floods. Beyond the immediate disruption, health is another concern as waste‑filled water could trigger outbreaks of malaria, cholera, and other waterborne diseases.
Mayor Yvonne Aki‑Sawyer acknowledged the scale of the problem, describing the rainfall as a wake‑up call for both residents and city authorities.
“The rain was significant enough to expose deeper structural and behavioural issues in waste management,” she said. “Effective collection requires manpower, vehicles, and fuel, but many residents are unwilling to pay for formal waste services, which undermines the system.”
The Mayor urged citizens to use approved waste service providers and avoid informal collectors who often dump garbage illegally. She also highlighted systemic challenges such as weak land‑use planning, poor enforcement of building permits, and uncontrolled construction along drainage paths.
“These practices block access for waste collection and worsen flooding,” she explained. “Government reforms transferring waste management responsibilities to local councils have been legislated, but implementation is slow. We need faster action to improve service delivery.”
By mid‑morning, a front‑end loader was dispatched to Portee Brima Lane to clear debris, while community volunteers joined Freetown City Council workers in cleanup efforts.
The Mayor renewed calls for residents to support the “Dorti Mus Go” initiative, urging a change in waste disposal habits as the rainy season continues, warning that failure to act could lead to more flooding and environmental health risks across the city.
