Concord Times (Freetown)
Rachel Horner
20 July 2009
Freetown — Minister of lands, country planning and the environment Dr. Denis Sandy and deputy minister of health and sanitation Mohamed D. Koroma have made a joint visit to the former amputee camp on Aberdeen Road to address residents on the illegitimate use of the land.
The deputy health minister and team had earlier visited the area following a complaint from the management of handicap international on the inconveniences on the land by illegal occupants.
It was reported that persistent playing of loud music is disturbing the peace of patients and the illegal erection of structures were all factors affecting the smooth running of the hospital.
Addressing the occupants, lands minister Dr. Sandy noted the effects of the war that brought in the amputees to dwell in that area as a temporary measure, pointing out that since the amputees have been relocated it is but fitting that all residents of the land produce documents that would justify their stay or land ownership.
Dr. Sandy, during his interaction with the community, encouraged them to stay calm as the purpose of their visit had nothing to do with eviction, but rather to justify their stay on the land.
He noted that the war should no longer be used as an excuse for people not to comply with the laws of the country, stressing that it was more than nine years now since the war ended, and that government has been flexible and understanding with its post civil conflict interventions.
In a more compromising tone, the lands minister encouraged heads of the different dwelling houses and business structures to see him on Friday July 17 with their documents with a view to chatting the way forward.
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