June, 14, 2018
By Elizabeth A. Kaine
Executive Director of UNEP met President Bio at State House yesterday
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) yesterday, June 13, promised to help stabilise the Motemeh Community at Regent Freetown. The promised was made during a courtesy call on President Julius Maada Julius Maada Bio at State House.
On August 14 2017, the Motemeh community experienced a devastating mudslide disaster which claimed the lives of over 500 people, including women and children.
Speaking during the meeting, UNDP Executive Director, Erik Solheim, told President Bio that his organisation had plans to help stabilise the Motemeh Community in a bid to prevent future disasters.
Mr. Solheim, on behalf of his organisation and delegation, congratulated President Bio on his victory and identified priority areas and actions the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) would provide support on environmental issues and how to strengthen the longstanding partnership between his organisation and Sierra Leone.
He said: “UNEP activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy. It has played a significant role in developing international environmental conventions, promoting environmental science and information and illustrating the way those can be implemented in conjunction with policies working with national governments.”
He proposed that the government find ways to control plastic waste proliferation in the country as they also caused environmental pollution.
In his response, President Bio thanked the delegation for putting Sierra Leone at the core of their activities and assured of his government’s desire to develop the country and tackle climate change.
“My government will work very hard with the Environmental Protection Agency to tackle the challenges of climate change and to make sure that there is reduction in risk of any calamity that might befall the country,” President Bio assured.
President Bio said his government would introduce environmental issues into schools’ curriculum so that pupils are informed adequately about the hazards of deforestation and ways to tackle them.
He promised to work tirelessly with EPA to control plastic waste proliferation in the country, adding that he had imposed a ban on timber logging in a bid to allow trees to grow and support the environment.