The Livestock and Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) held a 2-day stakeholders engagement for the establishment of a quarantine facility in Falaba District. The session primarily targets top level district stakeholders and a cross-section of community stakeholders including landowners.
The meeting was held from the 7th – 8th May 2026 (Thursday and Friday respectively), with the opening session at the District Council Hall, Mongo Bendugu – the headquarter town of Falaba District, and the closing session was held in Limbaya – the community that would be hosting the quarantine facility.
On the background of the meeting, Mr. Sundu Marrah who is the Deputy Secretary at MAFS underscored the relevance of the session – directed on the path to having quarantine facilities in respective districts.
In his welcome statements, Mr. Ibrahim Sesay who is the Chairman – Falaba District Council highlighted challenges faced by cattle herders, one of which is the influx of undocumented cattle herders from Mali that are infiltrating the district, posing serious health risk on the local breeds and by extension to humans.
Mr. Tamba Charles Kellie who is the District Agriculture Officer (DAO) stressed on the need to having policies in place to address the influx of these illegal cattle herders and to ensure thorough screening of animals and animal products.
Dr. Manga Salifu Samura the 4th – Paramount Chief of Sulima Chiefdom, applauded the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) for such development and he admonished the locals to ensure the facility is used for the intended purpose. He further called on all to take ownership – ensuring and assuring nothing is stolen and all equipment to be in better shape for the good of all.
Mr. Joseph M. Samai who is the Animal Production Officer MAFS, enlightened that Falaba District happened to be one of the districts that has been selected for the establishment of such a facility. He makes very clear that nor the Ministry or donor partners are purchasing the said land, and that the land and facility remain the property of Falaba District.
In the same vein, he mentioned that no stone would be left unturned in the construction of the facility, and that labour and security for such a construction would be drawn from the very community.
He further disclosed that the House of Parliament would soon pass into law ‘the animal health bill’ that looks into the wellbeing of animals and animal products and to also ensure issuance of certificates for animal movement nationwide.
In his remarks, Mr. Francis Koroma who is the Environmental and Medical Waste Specialist for IHPAU informed that the said project is referred to as ‘The Quality Essential Health System Support Project,’ with funds from the World Bank Pandemic Fund.
Mr. Koroma stressed on the need for intensifying surveillance in the entry areas of the district – for monitoring cattle movement, take samples, identify sick animals and transferred them to the quarantine facility.
The event was climaxed with visitation at the site. The said land is precisely situated about a kilometer away from the main Limbaya Village – Sulima Chiefdom.
It is worth noting that same engagement was simultaneously undertaken in Kambia District and its environs – with a firm commitment of having high flow of animal/livestock products, which is a key player of the ‘Feed Salone’ initiative.
