Urgent Need for Infrastructure Improvements in Joe Town Due to Severe Rainfall

Residents of the Joe Town community in Waterloo are voicing significant concerns about the severe impact of ongoing heavy rainfall, which has rendered essential access roads nearly impassable and significantly disrupted their daily lives and economic activities.

For an extended period, the area has struggled with inadequate drainage systems and neglected infrastructure. With each rainy season, the situation worsens, leading to road erosion, property damage, and widespread flooding of streets. Tragically, there have been reports of fatalities, with children and elderly residents drowning during periods of intense rainfall.

Joe Town, like many other vulnerable communities in Freetown, continues to suffer from inadequate urban planning and infrastructure maintenance. Residents are now urgently calling for government intervention to address their plight.

Commercial motorbike operators Yusuf Bangura and Emmanuel Lamboi, both residents of Joe Town, described their daily challenges in a recent interview.

"The roads become dangerous and extremely slippery after rainfall,” Yusuf explained. “When heavy rain begins, it becomes nearly impossible for motorbikes, vehicles, or even pedestrians to pass. Water flows across the streets in both directions, effectively isolating us.”

Emmanuel echoed these concerns and made a heartfelt appeal to the government.

“Our request is simple—a properly constructed road. This issue directly affects our safety and survival. We urgently need the authorities to act immediately.”

Another resident, Umaru Mansaray, highlighted the increase in motorbike accidents, attributing frequent collisions to the poor road conditions.

“Motorcyclists cannot navigate safely due to the excessively slippery and narrow roadway. Remedial measures must be taken before more lives are lost,” he warned.

As the rainy season continues, the residents of Joe Town wait anxiously, hoping their appeals will be heard and that lasting solutions to their longstanding challenges will finally be realised.

Reference: interview from Liberty TV