AYV News, September 20, 2024

A newly erected structure, currently under construction, has raised serious safety concerns after being found adjacent to the site of last week’s fatal building collapse on Shell New Road in Freetown, which claimed the lives of nine people.

The building, constructed atop a major waterway historically used as a dumping ground, is designed to span three storeys from ground level up to street level, with an additional four storeys above street level. There are indications that further expansion might be planned.

Sierra Leone’s Disaster Management Agency (SLDMA) has voiced alarm over the building’s design, particularly the upper floors, which appear to be intended for commercial use and warehousing.

The agency warns that the storage of heavy merchandise on the upper levels, coupled with the structure’s precarious location over a compromised waterway, presents a significant risk.

Officials have raised concerns about potential erosion beneath the foundation, which could weaken the structure over time. The added weight from stored goods is expected to increase pressure on the building’s foundation, making it more vulnerable to collapse.

The SLDMA confirmed that construction at the site has been halted.

“Allowing such construction to continue could result in a disaster similar to the one that occurred nearby,” an agency representative stated. “Halting construction is a crucial step to prevent further risk of loss of life and property.”

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with the fate of the incomplete building yet to be determined.