By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Freetown City Council (FCC) has officially launched the Freetown DortiMusGo Byelaws Initiative in Calaba Town, marking a significant step in the city’s efforts to improve urban management, safety, and environmental hygiene.
The launch event, held in the East End of Freetown, drew local residents, community leaders, and key stakeholders who gathered to support a cleaner, safer, and more organized city.
The DortiMusGo Byelaws are a set of newly introduced regulations aimed at addressing persistent urban challenges such as street congestion, illegal trading, improper waste disposal, and unsafe public spaces. By establishing clear community guidelines, the initiative seeks to foster a culture of accountability and shared responsibility among residents.
Speaking at the launch, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the vital role of the initiative in shaping a more sustainable and liveable city. She highlighted the need for community participation and ownership, urging residents to see themselves as partners in the transformation of their neighbourhoods.
“The DortiMusGo Byelaws are not just about rules—they are about responsibility and pride in our city,” said Mayor Aki-Sawyerr. “We can only achieve a cleaner and more organized Freetown if every resident understands their role and contributes to the vision of a well-managed urban environment.”
Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk reinforced the mayor’s message, pointing out that effective urban development requires strong collaboration between city authorities and the public. He praised the community of Calaba Town for turning out in large numbers and demonstrating enthusiasm for the initiative.
“Our success as a city depends on cooperation. These byelaws provide the framework, but it is the people who will bring them to life,” Lisk said. “Together, we can create a Freetown that reflects our collective values and aspirations.”
The DortiMusGo Byelaws address a wide range of urban issues, from regulating street trading and traffic flow to improving sanitation and ensuring public safety. Violations will be met with enforcement measures, but the focus remains on education and behavioral change rather than punishment alone. Public awareness campaigns and ongoing community engagement will be central to the implementation strategy.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Freetown City Council to improve urban governance and enhance the overall quality of life for its citizens. In recent years, the Council has launched several projects under the “Transform Freetown” agenda, which aims to tackle issues such as housing, waste management, transportation, and environmental resilience.
The presence of diverse stakeholders at the launch—ranging from municipal officers and community groups to business representatives and civil society actors—demonstrated a wide base of support for the initiative. Many attendees voiced their approval of the byelaws, calling them timely and necessary for restoring order in a rapidly growing urban space.
“This is a welcome change,” said a local community leader. “We’ve struggled with disorder and poor sanitation for years. Now, we have a roadmap to improve our environment, and we are ready to play our part.”
The DortiMusGo Byelaws Initiative marks a new chapter in Freetown’s urban development journey, reinforcing the importance of citizen engagement in creating cleaner, safer, and more resilient cities.
As implementation begins, city officials are calling on all residents to embrace the spirit of partnership and civic duty that the byelaws represent.
