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Sierra Leone officials facilitated illegal mansion-building in a key national park
Investigation reveals 46 illegal mansions in Sierra Leone's national park with government officials implicated, risking a water supply serving 90% of Freetown residents, officials warn.
- Investigators found scores of illegal mansions in the Bio Barray neighborhood inside the Western Area Peninsula National Park, with construction still ongoing, the AP reported.
- The investigation found senior officials used formal land processes and signed at least 175 land-lease documents, despite the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning's reluctance to act.
- The reservoir providing 90% of Freetown's water sits above Bio Barray, where the investigation found deforestation could cause a water shortage and landslides, the committee warned.
- The investigation recommended punitive measures against officials, but Ben Kaifala of the Anti‑Corruption Commission said no probe had been launched and denied seeing the report, while President Bio said `We will act on it very soon and do whatever is needed to be done`.
- Satellite imagery and AP visits show illegal mansions remain and construction continues, with over 50 houses built or under construction visible from Freetown's main highway.
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17 Articles
17 Articles
Associated Press News+16 Reposted by 16 other sources
Sierra Leone officials facilitated illegal mansion-building in a key national park
An investigation shows that illegal luxury mansions have been built in a Sierra Leone national park that serves as an environmental buffer for its capital.
·United States
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left9Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 40%
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