By: Hassan Osman Kargbo
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Director of Communications, Mr. Mohamed Elba, has confirmed that the University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH) building in the East End of Freetown is a ‘high-risk disaster hotspot’.
According to him, the decision was reached after an evaluation of the structure by the Director of National Disaster Risk Reduction at the National Disaster Management Agency of Sierra Leone.
He said they have recommended to the Ministry of Works that the college should stop using their building because it exposes the students and staff to a high risk of disaster. He furthered that the decision was reached after thorough evaluation of the structure by the Disaster Risk Reduction at NDMA.
“We have recommended to the Ministry of Works that the college should stop using the building because it exposes the students and staff to risk,” Elba noted.
As a result, he has called on the staff and students of the university to stop inhabitanting the building for their own safety.
He admitted that the possibility for the UNIMTECH building to collapse is great and he said those involved should try to be safe.
He furthered assures the public of their commitment towards disaster preparedness and prevention for not only in Freetown but across the country. Adding that they have some strategies they have put together to tackle the impact of disaster in Sierra Leone and also confirmed that they’re currently working assiduously with several partners to actualize their mandate of managing, preventing of disasters in the country.
“We have some strategies we have put together to tackle the impact of disaster in Sierra Leone and also we are currently working assiduously with several partners to actualize our mandate of managing, preventing of disasters in the country,” he said.
