Black Johnson and Big Water Residents Decry Demolition of Homes for Fishing Harbor Project
Tensions are mounting
in the Black Johnson and Big Water communities after the government, backed by
armed security forces, began demolishing homes and resorts to make way for a
multimillion-dollar fishing harbor project.
 |
| Black-Johnson |
The sudden action has sparked anger, fear, and
displacement among local residents, many of whom say they received little to no
warning before the demolitions began. The project, first announced in 2021, is
part of Sierra Leone’s plan to modernize its fishing sector and expand export
capabilities.
However, the abrupt demolitions have raised
serious concerns about transparency, environmental degradation, and the
humanitarian impact on those who have lived in the affected areas for decades.
On Wednesday, June
18, 2025, residents awoke to scenes of chaos as military personnel and police,
heavily armed and accompanied by bulldozers and other heavy equipment, began
tearing down buildings. Eyewitnesses described the operation as aggressive and
traumatizing.
“I saw soldiers and
policemen with guns and large trucks,” said Fayai Menjor, a local resident
whose house was among those destroyed. “They told me they were going to
demolish my home. When I asked to collect my belongings, they refused. Even
when I said my child was inside, they started destroying the house. I managed
to save my child, but I lost everything else. The police even threatened to
shoot me.”
The demolition
campaign has not only displaced families but has also sparked renewed concern
over the environmental impact of the fishing harbor. Residents fear
deforestation, pollution, and long-term coastal erosion could harm the fragile
ecosystem.
Ibrahim Kaloko, the youth chairman of the community, shared that residents had previously engaged
with officials from the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning and
representatives of the Chinese company contracted to construct the harbor.
According to Kaloko, the community was initially
supportive, encouraged by promises of development and basic services such as
electricity, clean drinking water, and a community center.
“We believed in the
government’s plan and wanted to contribute,” Kaloko said. “But nothing they
promised has materialized. Instead, we just saw massive machines arrive, and
people began to panic.”
Many in the
community now feel betrayed, saying the government has ignored their rights and
failed to fulfill its commitments. The lack of communication and disregard for
local concerns have only intensified resistance to the project.
As demolition continues, tension and frustration remain
high in Black Johnson and Big Water. Residents are demanding answers and
accountability, questioning whether progress should come at the cost of their
homes, environment, and dignity