By Foday Moriba Conteh
An important meeting was convened on the 15th February 2022 by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and its implementing agency, the National Tourist Board with Beach Bar owners at the Ministry’s Conference Room on Kingharman Road in Freetown during which time the Ministry expressed dissatisfaction over the way and manner some of the latter are conducting businesses on the Beaches in Freetown.
Towards the end of the meeting, the Ministry gave an ultimatum to defaulters warning that if nothing positive is done to restore sanity and best practices at Lumley beach, Aberdeen and its environs then stringent measures will be instituted. The meeting was held at the Ministry’s Conference Room on Kingharman Road in Freetown.
The Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh informed those present that the meeting was summoned to discuss pressing issues relating to especially Lumley Beach of which he said the Ministry is not pleased. He also stated that the meeting is meant to announce new procedures in the operations of bars and other establishments at the beach.
Jalloh stated categorically that actions will be taken against those that have long-term ongoing construction, lands not utilized for at least over two years and investments or outlets requiring upgrading or face demolition.
On her part, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs,Dr. Memunatu Pratt, reminded Bar and Beach Owners that in 2018 a similar meeting was convened after which radio and newspaper announcements were placed admonishing owners to bring their documents to the Ministry which many failed to adhere to which prompted demolition.
The Minister maintained that there is a big difference between those that have the financial capability and the quality of design to those that have makeshift structures that do not match the hotels on the other side. Dr. Memunatu Pratt revealed that allocations given at Lumley beach are temporary which according to her could be withdrawn at anytime.
She lamented over the issues of theft, dirt and waste management around the beach saying that the owners of beach bars do not even clean the frontage of their bars something which she said could not be tolerated. She underscored that their aim is not to deprive anybody but are very much concern about getting the standards right.
Representatives of the Sierra Leone Police Force in attendance pledged their full support to whatever action the Ministry wants to take against defaulters in ensuring that sanity is restored on the Lumley beach.
At the end of the meeting the beach bars owners resolved to do the needful and take good care of the beach.
