AYV News, August 16, 2023
Several Sierra Leoneans have expressed concern over the rapid destruction of the Mangrove at the Aberdeen Creek in Freetown. This according to many, cannot be unconnected with the latest poor catch of fish by fishermen in Freetown.
Elected Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr shared deep concern about the devastating state of the Aberdeen Creek on her social media handle.
The mayor underscored the alarming rate at which the Mangroves are disappearing, adding that the impact is far-reaching, as the delicate balance of Freetown’s ecosystems is disrupted, leaving the city susceptible to increased flooding risks.
She said the responsibility for addressing this critical issue does not fall under the jurisdiction of local councils, adding that land use, planning and building permit are being issued not by the council.
The Mayor posted: “Went for a walk this morning and was heartbroken by this view of the Aberdeen Creek. The view from the Aberdeen Bridge is equally disturbing. The destruction of our mangroves caused by building construction into the Aberdeen Creek is happening at an alarming rate and must be stopped.
“The continued destruction of our Mangroves not only increases our city’s risk of flooding, it also reduces our fish population because fish breed in the Mangroves and it damages biodiversity ecosystems. I am writing in my capacity as a concerned resident and a Climate Change activist but for the avoidance of doubt and to stay focused on this critical issue it should be noted that land use planning and building permit issuance are not functions devolved to local councils.”
Sam Sesay, an Environmental Specialist said: “The decline in fish population in the country lately is due to the destruction of Mangroves, adding that it poises threatens to both the local fishing industry and the overall biodiversity of the region.
Recent encroachment on a massive scale by illegal settlements and the negative effect this has had on the mangrove ecosystem there. In addition to this, the economy through tourism coupled with the negative impact its loss will have on the environment makes it urgent and imperative for all squatters in this area to be relocated.
Other reasons why the creek should be cleared off all illegal settlement are related to pollution of the area resulting from both human and solid waste entering the creek from the numerous settlements there. The illegal structures at the back of Cockerill Military headquarters at the creek also pose a security risk which should not be ignored.
The Aberdeen Creek, in Western Freetown, is a biodiversity hot-spot that provides important ecosystem services. It is designated as a Ramsar Site of International Importance, after the Ramsar Convention, also known as The Convention on Wetlands – an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by UNESCO. Sierra Leone is a signatory of the Wetlands Convention and is obligated under the treaty to protect this important site.
The creek serves many natural functions: it is a key destination for seasonal migratory birds; it provides a breeding ground for fish; and has traditionally supported an abundance of mangrove forests that act as carbon sinks as well as natural buffers against flooding and rising sea levels due to climate change.
