By Sahrfoa Matturie
The Freetown City Council (FCC) has intervened to remove six uncollected corpses found on streets across the capital, following delays and confusion over which authority is responsible.
Although the FCC does not formally handle corpse collection, officials acted after prolonged discussions with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) failed to clarify institutional responsibility. The council cited public health concerns and respect for the deceased as reasons for the emergency operation.
Residents expressed unease over the presence of the bodies, while health experts warned of potential environmental and health risks, particularly in densely populated areas with limited sanitation services.
Council authorities confirmed that the removal operation will continue until an official directive assigns the responsibility to a specific agency. They also called for better coordination among government institutions to prevent similar delays in the future.
As of Monday evening, the MLGCA had not issued any formal statement on the matter.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges in administrative coordination between local and central government and highlights the urgent need for clear public health frameworks in Freetown.
