Public outrage has intensified against Al-Hamd Enterprises one of the country’s largest importers of iron rods and construction materials after a three storey building under construction at Grassfield, in the eastern part of Freetown, collapsed on Monday 24th November 2025, leaving one person dead and several others critically injured.
Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed that at least one life was lost while seven others sustained severe injuries. Rescue teams, mobilized by community stakeholders, worked tirelessly to pull survivors from the rubble, though some residents were still feared trapped hours after the incident.
Preliminary expert assessments alleged that substandard construction materials may have contributed to the collapse. According to multiple allegations, the materials used including iron rods and cement was supplied directly by Al-Hamd Enterprises. This has sparked widespread criticism from the public, who accuse the company of undermining public safety through negligence and the supply of inferior goods.
Adding to the concerns, residents also blame S.R. Industries Limited, the construction contractor, for poor workmanship and allegedly using low-quality materials. The incident has triggered fear among nearby residents and workers, many of whom now worry that other structures in the vicinity may be unsafe.
Sierra Leone especially Freetown has witnessed a troubling rise in building collapses in recent years. In July 2025, a similar tragedy occurred in Lumley, where another poorly constructed building caved in, trapping residents and resulting in multiple fatalities. These recurring incidents have been widely linked to contractors’ reliance on inferior or counterfeit materials and weak enforcement of building regulations.
In response to the growing crisis, the Ministry of Trade and Industry issued a public notice in November 2025 introducing stricter standards for all iron rods imported or manufactured in Sierra Leone the government has since begun monitoring exercises and shut down several non-compliant businesses.
Yet, despite these interventions, substandard building materials continue to flood the market, with some companies allegedly ignoring regulations and prioritizing profit over the lives of citizens.
Speaking on behalf of Al-Hamd Enterprises after the Grassfield collapse, the Director of Operations, Desmond Korombo Kargbo, confirmed that seven victims were being treated at Satellite Hospital in Rokupa and that one fatality had been officially recorded. He said the company is cooperating with authorities but declined to comment on allegations concerning the quality of their materials.
In light of this tragedy, this medium joins civil society groups, residents, and concerned Sierra Leoneans in calling on the Government, the Standards Bureau, the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry to intensify nationwide inspections of construction materials and enforce compliance with safety standards. The Grassfield incident is yet another painful reminder of the urgent need for accountability, stronger oversight, and responsible corporate practices to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.
