By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), yesterday launched a massive cleanup exercise along the Aberdeen and Lumley beaches, clearing seaweed and waste materials that have long threatened the beauty of the country’s most popular tourist sites.
The initiative, part of the Defence Mission and Tasks of the Armed Forces, is aimed at supporting Sierra Leone’s tourism sector by improving the cleanliness and attractiveness of key beaches ahead of the festive season.
Addressing the press at the site, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura, said the exercise was not only about cleaning but also about sending a strong message to international visitors that Sierra Leone is peaceful and stable.
“We want tourists to know that there is tranquillity in Sierra Leone,” Lt. Gen. Bangura explained. “Our aim is to create an environment where visitors can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of our beaches without concern.”
The Defence Chief emphasized that the timing of the exercise was deliberate, as the security sector wants to encourage tourists to flock to the beaches during the end-of-year celebrations. “We want them to experience the sweet, natural smell of Aberdeen and Lumley beaches in their purest form,” he added.
The cleanup operation drew praise from the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, who commended the security sector for their initiative. She described the effort as both timely and historic.
“This is the first time the two beaches have been thoroughly cleaned since seaweed and waste began to accumulate here back in 2009,” Minister Tunis noted. She further revealed that her ministry is working towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RSLAF so that similar operations can be extended to other beaches across the country and sustained in the long term.
According to the Sierra Leone Tourist Board, the stretch between Aberdeen and Lumley beaches is approximately 3.5 kilometers. To cover the area effectively, RSLAF deployed about 1,100 troops along with heavy engineering equipment, while the SLP contributed around 300 personnel.
The availability of engineering equipment significantly boosted the efficiency of the operation. These machines, including bulldozers, excavators, graders, dump trucks, and cargo trucks, were part of the 88 pieces of equipment donated to RSLAF in 2022 by President Julius Maada Bio with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
Originally intended to strengthen the Armed Forces’ capacity for infrastructure and logistics, the equipment has since been put to multiple uses. Beyond generating revenue for the military, they are used to rehabilitate barracks roads, respond to disasters, and undertake complex national cleaning exercises such as this one.
Observers and residents alike applauded the effort, noting that it has already improved the appearance of the beaches, which remain the most visited tourist attractions in Freetown. Traders, fishermen, and community members expressed hope that the collaboration between the RSLAF, SLP, and the Ministry of Tourism will become a regular occurrence rather than a one-off intervention.
With the festive season approaching, the cleanup has renewed optimism within the tourism sector. Many believe that a cleaner and more welcoming environment will attract both domestic and international visitors, contributing to the growth of Sierra Leone’s tourism industry.
