Parliament Sides with Milton Margai University in Property Dispute with Brookfields Hotel
By Benjamin S Conteh
The Sixth Parliament of Sierra Leone has ruled that the property located at Jomo Kenyatta Road in Freetown, previously claimed by both Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) and the New Brookfields Hotel, is rightfully owned by the university. The ruling was delivered by Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin, the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Bo District and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Higher and Technical Education.
During a session held on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Committee Room 1 of the House of Parliament, Hon. Lamin referenced Section 16 of the Polytechnic Act of 2021 and the University Schedule Act (pages 44 and 45) to substantiate the ruling. “After thoroughly reviewing all the documents tendered by both parties, it is clear that Milton Margai Technical University is the rightful owner of the property situated at Jomo Kenyatta Road,” Hon. Lamin stated.
He further emphasized that the university should retain ownership of the land and maintain all classrooms for student use. He also called on the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Tertiary Education Commission to engage with the New Brookfields Hotel owners to discuss a potential tenancy agreement, should the situation require one.
The ruling came after an extensive review of the documents submitted by both parties, which included claims of ownership by the New Brookfields Hotel. However, the evidence presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Higher and Technical Education overwhelmingly supported MMTU’s claim to the property.
In addition to the ruling on the property, Hon. Lamin instructed the university to ensure adequate support for the student union’s ongoing campus rehabilitation efforts, urging that the project be completed swiftly. He noted that the university’s role is crucial in maintaining an environment conducive to learning and student well-being.
Following the decision, Abdul Malik Sawaneh, the president of the MMTU Student Union, expressed his excitement and relief. “It has been a challenging few months for us, and this ruling brings great satisfaction,” he said. “As a union, our focus has always been on the welfare of the students, and we are pleased to see that Parliament has backed us in this matter.”
Sawaneh further reiterated the student union’s commitment to abiding by the ruling, regardless of any future actions from other parties involved. “We are law-abiding citizens and will respect the ruling to the fullest,” he assured.
The dispute over the property had centered around ownership claims from both the university and the hotel, with the hotel insisting it was the lawful owner of the land. However, after reviewing the relevant documents submitted by both parties, the parliamentary committee found in favor of MMTU, concluding that the land in question belongs to the university.
This ruling has brought clarity to the long-standing dispute and is expected to resolve any further legal or administrative challenges surrounding the ownership of the property.
