The Sierra Fishing Company in the Kissy Dock Yard community has embarked on a demolition exercise of over fifty houses at Pilgrims Way in the Kissy community. The demolition which has left over two hundred people homeless commenced on Monday and it continued on Tuesday with a huge presence of well armed policemen parading all over the place.
Speaking to some of the affected occupants of the land one Sulaiman Marah explained that they were not given any eviction notice. He said it was just yesterday that they saw a group of young men fully armed with gigantic hammers stormed their houses and started destroying the structures.Sulaiman further alleged that the police also participated and even brutally evicted some people from their homes while others were given severe lashing that resulted to injuries.
Assanatu Bangura another occupant of one of the demolished houses explained to this press in tears that her family bought the land about eight years ago and they have never been told by even the person who sold the land to them that the land belongs to Sierra Fishing Company which is located in the same area. She further explained that they have document to the effect that the land belongs to them. She said the matter was taken to the councilor and the Member of Parliament representing their constituency but nothing was done to save them from this calamity. “We have no where to go this rainy season” she lamented. She also alleged police brutality in the course of the demolition exercise.
Matha Bangura whose house was also demolished explained to Awoko that one of the policemen said in Krio that “We mos kil posin na ya bifo wi go”meaning we must kill somebody here before we leave. Matha was unable to control the emotion and grief she was in and burst into a loud cry and wept bitterly. Matha also said that her brother Mohamed Jalloh was seriously beaten and brutalized by police officers and in the process he sustained severe injury in the head.”Mohamed is currently at the point of death at the Connaught hospital” she said. .
All attempts to get the version of the police at the scene proved futile. When the reporter confronted the ASP that led the team to demolish the house, the ASP rudely refused taking interview and furiously exclaimed; “If you want any information about our operation, you know the police media, go there” he shouted.
This press also went to the Company in question to get their own side of the story. In the process our reporter caught up with the Public Relation Officer of the Sierra Fishing Company, Mr. Sesay.He refuted all the shenanigans and allegations made by the affected people against his company.Mr.Sesay further presented authentic document ranging from a two weeks eviction notice in March 2008, Writ of Summon and finally a court order which was the final rod that broke the Camel’s bark. “Enough notice was given to them but they treated it with contempt” the PRO added. He further stated that the company wants to utilize the land for expiation of its activities.