By Gibao Brima
Natural disaster continues to hit Sierra Leone every year more especially in the rainy season.
The factors responsible for these disasters are connected to human destruction on the natural vegetation despite tremendous effort by government through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responsible to oversee and ensure that the nation’s environment is been protected.
On 15th August, 2022 the people of Maola Town in Pujehun District southern region of Sierra Leone were severely hit by torrential rain falls that overflow it bank through the entire township clearing away the entire township which led to serious internal displacement of hundreds of people, others dead and properties worth millions of Leones destroyed.
Talking to Chief Abu Bakarr Magona at Maola Town in Pujehun by this reporter, he expressed dismay over this unfortunate situation that claimed many lives and lots of properties to his subjects, “I was only blessed since I was away when this ugly situation occured but it touches me since the lives of my people have gone”. He called on government and non-governmental organizations to come to their aid.
In a snap interview with one of the victims, Hindowa Felix Simbo by this reporter who identified himself as a student pursuing a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment at the London School of Business and Investment, he told this reporter that indeed many lives were lost and properties gone due to the overflow of the bank of the river Moa; since the river lies through the township.
Ask what touches him most he said he is totally devastated since his entire learning materials including books and computers have gone.
“I ran for my life since the river broke its banks overnight and we have no solution but to run away, others were caught by heavy wave of the river leading to many deaths as properties were destroyed.
Hindowa further said he believes in God and hope to continue his studies soonest.