By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
The Mayor of Freetown City Council, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has stated that the introduction of a cable car transportation system will help ease traffic and make mobility easier for the people of Freetown.
According to her, the innovative transportation solution is not only expected to alleviate traffic woes but also enhance the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
She was speaking at the Freetown City Council Auditorium during a public disclosure and consultation event on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the project, which is being sponsored by the governments of France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Freetown, like many urban centres across the globe, faces significant traffic challenges that lead to prolonged commutes and increased stress levels for residents.
However, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr believes that implementing a cable car system could provide a practical and efficient alternative to conventional road travel, as the cable cars would facilitate quicker and more reliable transport.
The Freetown Cable Car Project is designed to target hard-to-reach hillside communities.
The Mayor emphasized the importance of community involvement in the project, noting that they need the input of the people to help implement it effectively, which is why they invited them to the public engagement.
Deputy Mayor of Freetown City Council, Eku Lisk, highlighted that the engagement was part of the project’s adherence to international best practices. He said the event was aimed at engaging project-affected communities to properly inform them about the project and gather their views to help improve it where necessary.
He noted that, with support from the C40 Cities Initiative, they have been able to embark on the project up to its current stage. He emphasized that the project’s significance lies in providing an alternative, fast, and reliable means of mass transportation, as the cable car system allows people to travel in a timely manner.
According to him, the project will be powered by solar electricity with backup generators and also connected to the national grid. He added that it will help create jobs for many people living in Freetown.
Samuella Faulkner, Managing Director of Integems Limited, the company hired to conduct the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment said the project is the first of its kind in Sierra Leone. She explained that the event was organized to bring people together to understand the importance and benefits of the project.
“It is mandatory in Sierra Leone that for any development project being undertaken, there is a need for an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment to be conducted. The assessment helps to identify key impacts both potential positive and negative and come up with measures to address them, ensuring that the project does not adversely affect people and the environment,” she said.
She added that the project is expected to affect about 98 structures, including homes and shops. Integems Limited has also been hired to develop the Resettlement Plan to determine how best to relocate affected individuals.
“The cable car project is a very environmentally friendly initiative. We are currently facing serious climate change issues, and one of the biggest concerns is carbon emissions. Having a cable car system is a step forward in helping to combat climate change in the country,” she noted.
