EPA-SL opens regional office in Makeni

By Bampia Bundu

 In other to extend the protection of the environment in all parts of the country, the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone has opened a regional office in Makeni. Situated along the Azzolini Highway the regional office will now reduce the workload of the EPA-SL in addressing environmental issues in the Northern region.

In her opening remarks, the Executive Chairperson for the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone, Madam Jatou Jallow, said it was a pleasure for her to see the people in their hundreds to grace the occasion.

She thanked the Government of Sierra Leone, the European Union, the Mayor and people of Makeni for their relentless contributions to make the opening of the office a reality.

She pointed out that without the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, the problems of the environment cannot be solved as no single individual or entity can do it.

She called on the Makeni people to give the EPA-SL the support it needed to make enable them to adequately protect their environment.

Madam Jallow also stated that the environmental problems like flooding, climate change are all taking place because of man’s activities on earth.

In his comments, the Mayor of the Makeni City Council, His Lordship Moses Sesay, said they were very happy for the opening of office in their city, adding that they will soon begin to address some of the environmental problems in their locality.

He noted that all Sierra Leoneans should know and take care of their natural resources and called on the Makeni people to embrace the development strides undertaken by the EPA-SL in establishing an office in their community.

In his remarks, Hon. Paramount Chief Bai Sebora Kasengna 11 pointed out that it is the people who pollute and destroy their environment, lauding the efforts of the EPA-SL to set up an office in Makeni, which he said they must embrace with all their hearts and might. He encouraged the EPA-SL to establish other offices in all the districts of the country.

A representative of the School Nature Club, Miss Jalikatu Sheriff from the Mathora Secondary School in Makeni, said the EPA-SL had made them to understand the importance of the environment, adding that with the opening of the regional branch they will get more education environment issues.

Formally declaring the office the representative of the Resident Minister, North, Mr. L. S. Koroma, said the occasion marked the end of a long campaign and the beginning of a difficult work, which he said will only be achieved by the concerted efforts of all concerned.