The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), through its Directorate of Risk Reduction and Preparedness, has carried out an urgent structural risk assessment of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) building at the Wilkinson Road–Aberdeen Road junction in Freetown, following reports of serious deterioration.
The seven-storey building, which accommodates a high volume of daily users, was found to be in a severely dilapidated state, with visible cracks, weakened beams, and widespread water seepage. The NDMA team warned that these issues have significantly compromised the structure’s integrity, posing a serious threat to public safety if not addressed promptly.
Director of Risk Reduction and Preparedness, Ing. Maada Salia, led the inspection and called for immediate action. “The current state of the building, coupled with the number of people who use it daily, demands immediate attention to guarantee public safety,” he stated.
During the visit, NDMA officials engaged the building’s resident engineer, Ing. Noel Domigo, and other occupants. They were advised to take immediate safety measures, including partial evacuation of high-risk areas and restricting access to compromised floors. Ing. Domigo confirmed that plans for a full-scale structural rehabilitation are already in motion and reassured the public that occupant safety remains a top priority.
Also present during the assessment was NDMA’s Senior Communications Officer, Vamba Ansumana Konneh, who emphasized the Agency’s proactive role in disaster prevention. “Our mandate goes beyond response. Prevention, preparedness, and resilience building are central to our mission,” he said.
The NDMA is calling on all building owners, public and private, to carry out regular structural inspections and prioritize timely maintenance to avert future tragedies.
