Freetown, Friday 16th August 2019 – His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has paid two separate visits to flood victims in Wellington and Tombo, in the Western Urban and Rural Areas respectively and provided humanitarian support to them as a way of consoling them.
At Wellington, President Bio told the flood victims and their family members that he came to them with heavy heart because of the devastation the flooding had caused to their lives. He said as President he had been very saddened by the level of destruction from the flooding across the country. President Bio also said that the flooding has been worsened because over the years people have built in areas without any proper environmental planning. He warned that state authority will continue to ensure that people who erect structures or live in areas which are prone to natural disasters are relocated.
Whilst he commended state institutions, development partners and NGOs for their support to flood victims, President Bio also encouraged young people in flood-prone areas to continue their vigilance and support in helping victims. He prayed for those who have lost their lives and assured the victims that Government and its partners will continue to provide support to them. President Bio also admonished the audience that they should listen to the instructions of authorities whenever they are advised for their safety.
Later, President Bio also visited Tombo where he addressed victims and their families affected by the flooding. In a similar message he told them that he was in Tombo to sympathize with the flood victims for the devastating effect of the flooding on their lives. “I am President for all Sierra Leoneans and whenever any citizen is affected by natural disaster we must all unite in that sadness,” President Bio said.
In both Wellington and Tombo, President Bio also visited affected flooding areas and made separate donations to the flood victims. In total, President Bio donated 300 bags of rice, 1000 blankets, 200 mosquito nets, bales of clothes and dozens of buckets. President Bio was received in both Wellington and Tombo by the community stakeholders, councilors and sitting APC Members of Parliament.
President Bio was accompanied by senior advisers and ministers including the Chief Minister, Professor David J. Francis and Minister of Lands, Housing and Environment, Dr. Denis Sandy. The two separate visits to the flood victims were facilitated by the Office of National Security.
For more inquiries:
State House Media and Communications Unit
+232 76 758764 / +232 88 269282
