Kings Foam Accused of Encroaching on SLRA Right of Way, Lacking Drainage Approval
By VOS Investigative Writer
Kings Foam, a company affiliated with the Mega Cola factory owned by the Hijazi family, is under scrutiny following allegations that it has encroached on a designated right of way and proceeded with construction without an approved drainage plan along Blackhall Road in Freetown.
The controversy arises in the wake of a recent joint enforcement operation conducted by the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority, Sierra Leone Roads Authority, and the Sierra Leone Police. The operation targeted structures obstructing traffic flow along Blackhall Road and other parts of the city, leading to the demolition of several buildings erected within restricted right-of-way corridors.
Reports indicate that shortly after the demolition exercise, the owners of Kings Foam removed part of the factory’s perimeter fence and extended the property by constructing a row of new structures. These developments are alleged to have encroached into the same corridor previously cleared by authorities.
On March 19, 2026, officials from the SLRA visited the site and marked the structures with an “X” and the acronym “ROW” (Right of Way), indicating that the buildings were in violation of established regulations.
When contacted, Kings Foam CEO Khalil Hijazi denied ownership of the structures, stating that neither Kings Foam nor its affiliated companies were responsible for the construction. He urged the media to conduct further investigations to identify the actual owners.
“That property does not belong to Kings Production nor its affiliated company. Kindly investigate properly,” Hijazi told Voice of Salone Newspaper.
However, an independent investigation by this newspaper suggests otherwise, indicating that the structures are linked to Kings Foam and that the expansion followed the earlier demolition of makeshift structures at the same location.
Sources within the SLRA confirmed that the buildings were flagged not only for encroachment but also for the absence of an approved drainage plan. The agency reportedly advised that proper drainage designs be submitted for review, though it remains unclear whether the company has complied.
Despite the markings and an apparent stop-work notice, construction is said to have continued, with initial warning indicators allegedly removed.
As of now, work at the site is ongoing, raising concerns about compliance and enforcement, particularly in light of the lack of formal approval from the SLRA for the continuation of construction. More on this in subsequent editions.
