AYV News, May 4, 2026
Over 80 participants including Councillors, Chairladies, Headmen, Harbor Masters, Fishermen, Fishmongers, Sea turtle monitors and other key stakeholders in Turtle and Sherbro Island Communities, Deima chiefdom, Bonthe district, commended the Reptile and Amphibian Program-Sierra Leone (RAP-SL) for the impact it has created in the chiefdom, especially in the areas of education and enlightenment for which they pledged their unwavering support for the project.
Among others, the Paramount Chief, Speaker and other stakeholders revealed that all the four sections in the chiefdom have two schools each underscoring that they have realized more benefits now than when they used to kill sea turtles.
The Paramount Chief of Deima chiefdom, Bonthe district, P.C. Anshun Ngabay IV commended the RAP-SL for bringing enlightenment and education to the chiefdom, sensitizing them about the importance of mangroves, turtles, manates and other sea animals in addition to empowering them. He acclaimed the people for adhering to the laws prohibiting the killing of sea turtles and cutting down of mangroves.
This disclosure was made at the Dama Chiefdom Administration Community Barry in Chepu, during a sensitization meeting organized by RAP-SL on the protection of the sea turtles, manates, other reptiles and mangroves.
As for mangrove cutting, he quickly mentioned that most of the cutting is done in other places, locals from Turtle Island only buy logs/woods for fish processing. And for that he said, he is partnering with neighbouring chiefdoms to enforce the laws on mangroves and also the protection of sea turtles, other animals and mangroves. He reminded the people that the local fine for killing a turtle is Le500 in Deima, therefore people must stay away from the killing of turtles and all other protected species in Sierra Leone. If someone is caught clandestinely violating any of the laws, that person will face the full force of the laws.
However, the Paramount Chief raised concerns about other issues the people want RAP-SL to address such as the improved energy efficient ovens. He said though Mr. Eddie and support from donors, he has provided more than 150 improved ovens, but yet still they are not enough, the people want more. If the conservation laws are to be adhered to, NGOs must provide for the people, for which he thanked Eddie and his Program (RAP-SL) for the support they are giving to the people of Turtle Island and the Deima chiefdom.
The Paramount Chief underscored the need for healthy competition for other NGOs because together they can achieve their goal for a sustainable Sierra Leone as healthy competition is good for the development of any country and community.
