Sierra Leone: The fishing island of Yeliboya situated in the west of Kambia District approximately 120 minutes by boat from the wharf of Bailor is being affected by a rise in sea level, islanders say. Home to a sizeable population of about 5,000 people, the dominant economic activities on the island are fishing and trading. But, this settlement and culture of the people are under threat of extinction due to sea erosion –the encroachment of the sea on the land due to rise in sea level.
Sheikh Abu Bakarr Kandeh Kamara, an islander working in Freetown, said people are now living in the fourth settlement, having been forced to move three other times. The island is reducing in size rapidly, which is worrisome. “This island has been here for over 100 years. To relocate people from this place immediately will pose some challenges,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Adikali Bangura agreed that the land is being reduced gradually, “as the wind forced the sea to hit against the shoreline and erode it.”
He added, “The Chinese showed us how to plant trees on the shore to prevent erosion but the water washed the trees away.” However, the trees are flourishing in the neighbouring island of Kotimo, serving as windbreakers and preventing erosion.
During high tide, especially around 8pm the water spreads across the island affecting homes and walkways. “Anybody that goes outside, risks walking in sea water. This problem is seasonal. There is a tributary that connects to the main ocean. So, when the water from the river meets with the ocean water, there is a standstill and the back surge sends a lot of water into the island causing this problem,” said Santigie Bangura, a young man who has fished on the island for a long time.
Notwithstanding that, many of the houses on the island are either wooden or zinc structures with poor foundations which can allow for water to easily penetrate them. The Chief said to overcome the challenge he used six layers of bricks to erect the foundation of his house, which is one of the cement block structures on the island. “The water still affects me here,” he noted.
Another serious challenge the islanders face is getting pure drinking water as the island’s underground water is salty. “We buy water from neighbouring Morbaya village for Le 2,500 for 5 gallons, and transport it by boat to Yeliboya. We use more of the packet water here. That is why we are appealing to the government to install plastic water tanks here for us to overcome this challenge,” Chief Bangura pleaded.
With the frequent fire incidents (2 to 3 per year) on the island and the sea level rise, the Paramount Chief of Samu Chiefdom, Bai Shebora Yek II, and Chief Adikali of Yeliboya Island and other stakeholders are looking for ways to relocate the people from the island to improve their lives and livelihoods.
“We have three standard masjids on this island. Before we can relocate we should be assured of having similar facilities in our new destination with provisions for community centres, hospitals, schools, etc.; without these assurances we are not motivated to move as our livelihoods are here,” said the Deputy Imam of Portee Wharf Masjid Muminim, who is also a native of the island.
DT/16/03/2021
By david.thoronka@awokonewspaper.sl