By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a landmark step toward modernizing land administration and addressing the country’s enduring land disputes, the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, on Friday 11th April, 2025 officially launched the installation of a Continuous Operating Reference Station (CORS) at Moyamba Government Hospital. This is one of 13 such stations to be strategically positioned across Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Turad Senesie emphasized the transformative impact the CORS network will have on various sectors. “This system is not just about land,” he stated. “It’s about accurate data that supports agriculture, infrastructure, health and national security. It will provide critical information to guide our progressive land policy reforms and it aligns perfectly with our move toward digital land registration.”
The Minister noted that those advancements are expected to reduce the prevalence of land disputes, which have historically stemmed from inaccurate and inconsistent land surveys. “With this station, we are also enhancing the security of our national borders and empowering both Government and private stakeholders to make informed decisions,” he added.
The CORS installation at Moyamba is a key part of a broader nationwide initiative to establish a robust GPS-based infrastructure for high-precision land mapping. Each station in the network covers a 70-kilometer radius, enabling widespread connectivity and consistent survey standards across districts. The initiative is also expected to bolster drone navigation, particularly for health-related logistics such as medication delivery to remote communities.
Tamba Dauda, Professional Head at the Ministry of Lands and Housing Planning, delved into the significance of standardization. He explained that past land disputes often arose from discrepancies in survey data due to outdated or manual techniques.
“With the deployment of these GPS stations, we aim to achieve nationwide survey consistency within a 20-meter accuracy margin,” said Tamba Dauda. “This level of precision will drastically reduce land disputes and provide a trustworthy baseline for property rights and development planning.”
He also highlighted that, beyond land management, the GPS stations have multifaceted applications. “From accurate navigation to efficient emergency response and agricultural planning, this technology will serve the nation in diverse ways,” he noted
Zdenko Kurtovic, the Consultant overseeing the CORS deployment, provided insight into the technical execution of the project in Moyamba. The installation, he revealed, followed a meticulous site selection process, ultimately choosing the rooftop of Moyamba Government Hospital for optimal signal reception and security.
Key components installed include: A stainless steel-mounted GPS antenna, a thick GPS cable and Starlink antenna for fast internet, and eight high-capacity solar panels capable of powering the system for up to five days without sunlight.
Inside the facility, the core receiver was installed to capture satellite signals transmitted from the rooftop antenna. The system is supported by a Starlink router for internet connectivity and a local router that maintains constant communication with the National Control Center at the Ministry of Lands in Freetown. All equipment is mounted on a secure computer rack enclosed within a protective mesh cage to prevent tampering or damage.
To maximize the utility of the new system, the Ministry will also conduct training sessions for surveyors, ensuring they are proficient in using the modern GPS tools for accurate and standardized land mapping.
“This is not just a technological investment; it’s a knowledge investment,” said Dr. Turad Senesie. “We are building capacity alongside infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness.”
The CORS initiative is part of a broader national vision to modernize land governance, reduce conflicts and enable data-driven development. It signals Sierra Leone’s commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive growth and sustainable progress.
