Vice President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the National Disaster Management Agency’s (NDMA) National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, visited Kpetema Village in Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom to sympathize with victims of the recent fire disaster and assess the situation firsthand.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including government ministers, Members of Parliament, and religious leaders, the Vice President toured the disaster site before meeting with affected residents and local authorities. The visit was led by Resident Minister South, Chief John Abu, alongside officials from NDMA’s Southern Region.
During the meeting, Paramount Chief-elect Alfred Sovula Gandoma expressed gratitude for the swift intervention of NDMA, whose assessment report had prompted support from various stakeholders. He appealed for further assistance, particularly in rebuilding homes with corrugated iron sheets to reduce future fire risks. He also highlighted the destruction of agricultural seedlings, school materials, and microcredit funds.
NDMA’s Senior Disaster Officer for the South, Maada Martin Koroma, briefed the Vice President on the agency’s response, noting that 320 people were affected, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, and a disabled person. A total of 48 structures, housing 94 households were destroyed. He assured that NDMA had shared its report with partners and that relief efforts were forthcoming.
Vice President Jalloh, speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, extended his sympathies and pledged government intervention. He vowed to engage relevant ministries, agencies, and the private sector to accelerate relief efforts. Specifically, he promised to liaise with NDMA for urgent response measures and the Ministry of Agriculture to assess and replace lost seedlings. Additionally, he personally committed to providing school materials for affected children, to be delivered through the Minister of Lands and Country Planning as soon as possible.
He commended all stakeholders who had contributed to the relief efforts and assured residents that the Bio-led government remains committed to their welfare. The visit concluded with prayers before the delegation departed for Bo.
Credit: Directorate of Communications
