By Ragan M. Conteh

In a passionate and wide-ranging parliamentary debate, Members of Parliament from both the ruling and opposition sides voiced overwhelming support for the proposed National Planning and Land Use Bill, highlighting the urgent need for deliberate and structured development in Sierra Leone.

Hon. Dr. N’fa Koroma, a two-term opposition MP, lamented the country’s poor urban planning, using aerial views of cities as evidence of chaotic development. He emphasized that unregulated communities, haphazard market structures, and encroachment into protected areas reflect a lack of strategic foresight. Dr. Koroma stressed the need for purposefully planned communities that incorporate markets, transport access, and environmental regulations—arguing that, “if we are not deliberate about it, it will just remain something on paper.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Hon. Usif Mackray, a ruling party MP, described the bill as a “very good intent,” praising its provision for disaster preparedness, resilience building, and the inclusion of local councils in national planning efforts. He emphasized collaboration among government institutions, especially the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Protected Areas Authority.

Opposition Chief Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia brought attention to the financial aspect, commending the Ministry of Lands for allocating 50% of revenue to local councils, a move he said is crucial to enabling service delivery in communities. He defended the 10% allocation to the ministry itself, arguing it is necessary for operational mobility and staff expansion to address widespread land conflicts. “How can the Ministry of Lands functions effectively if it cannot even visit the sites it oversees?” he asked.

Hon. Kamara also criticized makeshift public infrastructure, including schools formed from divided homes, calling it symbolic of Sierra Leone’s planning failures.

He made an emotional plea for dignified public spaces that provide children with recreational areas, clean water, and structured learning environments.

Deputy Chairman of the Lands Committee, Hon. Benjamin Turay, closed the debate with a stirring call to action, referencing a recent fire disaster in Gracoh where emergency responders failed to access the site due to poor road planning. “This bill is not for us—it is for our children,” he said. He highlighted the dangerous trend of placing cemeteries near beaches and called for rapid passage of the bill to avoid further tragedies.

Across party lines, MPs called for coordination between ministries, local councils, and agencies to implement the law not just in theory but in visible transformation on the ground. While some members raised concerns about overlapping mandates and the need for better consultation, the debate largely revealed a united front in favor of structured national development.

With the bill headed to the committee stage, MPs vowed to iron out differences and finalize a law that they believe could reshape Sierra Leone’s urban and rural landscapes, preserve critical natural resources, and bring dignity to community life across the country.