Land Dispute Over DIP Property Sparks Controversy — Chief Minister’s Office Refutes Involvement
A major land dispute has erupted over property belonging to the Development Initiative Program (DIP), an organization founded by Hon. Hawa Roseline Safa, raising questions about due process and land administration in Sierra Leone.
The contested land was previously verified as DIP property following surveys and investigations conducted by the Ministry of Lands in 2016 and 2017, which officially confirmed DIP’s ownership.
However, recent attempts by officials from the same Ministry to repossess the land have generated public outrage. The officials reportedly claimed to be acting under instructions from the Chief Minister to revoke the existing documents.
In a formal response, the Office of the Chief Minister strongly denied issuing any such directive, stating it has “no knowledge of an order to confiscate or alter land documentation.”
Supporting DIP’s ownership, the Youth Chairman of Bathurst Village, Mohamed Gbla, reaffirmed that the land belongs to Hon. Safa and her partners. He further disclosed that a letter from the Chief Minister’s office — endorsed by the President — has launched a formal investigation into the situation.
Stakeholders are now calling on the Ministry of Lands to immediately cease all actions concerning the property, highlighting contradictions between its past findings and current actions. They are also urging for a transparent investigation to identify any officials implicated in what they describe as an attempted land grab.
The dispute has drawn wider attention to issues surrounding land rights and governance, with advocates insisting the land be promptly returned to DIP and safeguarded against future interference.
