Hon. Thompson Lights Up Fire Stations
By Mo Hamad Kargbo
In a bid to strengthen emergency response capacity, Honourable Alfred Ayodele Thompson, Member of Parliament for the Western Urban District, has donated 15 solar lights to the National Fire Force (NFF).
The official handover took place on Monday, 8th September 2025, at the NFF Headquarters in Freetown, witnessed by senior officers of the Fire Force and members of the media. The initiative is part of Honourable Thompson’s wider project to install 300 solar lights across the Western Urban District.
Speaking at the ceremony, Honourable Thompson explained that the donation was informed by challenges he observed during an oversight visit to fire stations nationwide. He noted that the 15 fire stations across the country would each receive a solar light to enhance their capacity to respond to emergencies, especially at night.
“At night, the Fire Force must fill their tanks to respond swiftly and save lives. These solar lights, each costing NLe 1,700, will help improve their effectiveness. This is part of my promise to deliver meaningful projects to the people I represent,” he said.
In addition to the NFF, Honourable Thompson has also distributed solar lights to several communities, including Lumley (20), Aberdeen (15), Murray Town (15), Wilberforce (15), Tengbeh Town (70), Congo Town (70), Dwarzack (5), and Sumaila Town (4), as well as to a number of police stations.
Receiving the donation, Chief Fire Officer Nazir Ahmad Alie Kamanda Bongay expressed deep appreciation for the support, describing it as a rare but commendable gesture.
“This is one of the few times we feel truly supported in our work. Honourable Thompson took the time to count our 15 fire stations and ensured each was provided for. We are grateful for his leadership and commitment. I hope other Sierra Leoneans will follow his example to strengthen fire service delivery across the country,” Bongay said.
He assured that the lights would be installed immediately at the 15 stations and monitored for maintenance, emphasizing that any malfunction would be swiftly investigated.
The donation marks another fulfillment of Hon. Thompson’s promises to his constituents, following his earlier provision of artificial turf to the Congo Town community during Eid-Ul-Fitr celebrations this year.
