By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
Concerns are mounting over the poor state of restroom facilities at the Miatta Civic Centre, a flagship public venue in Brookfields, Freetown, recently rehabilitated and repositioned as a hub for civic engagement and innovation.
The facility, located behind the Youyi Building, was officially renamed and relaunched in October 2025 as part of a broader government effort to transform public infrastructure into inclusive, modern spaces. Once a prominent conference venue constructed with support from the Chinese government, the centre had fallen into years of disrepair before undergoing a comprehensive two-year renovation.
However, despite the significant facelift and renewed national attention, visitors and users have raised alarm over the condition of its restrooms, describing them as “an eyesore” and “barely fit for use.”
A recent visit to the facility revealed unhygienic conditions, including unclean floors, lack of running water, and absence of basic toiletries in the bottom floor of the building.Visitors also complained that the restrooms are sometimes close which restrict access to the facility.The situation appears particularly challenging for female users, many of whom report discomfort and difficulty accessing the facilities.
“It is disappointing,” said one attendee at a recent event. “You walk into a beautifully renovated hall, but the moment you step into the restroom, it tells a completely different story. There is no water, no tissue, and the place is not properly maintained.”
The Miatta Civic Centre was handed over to the Ministry of Information and Civic Education by the Ministry of Works and Public Assets in October 2025, with a vision to create a “gathering place for imagination,” fostering civic participation, digital innovation, and cultural exchange.
An Advisory Council, co-chaired by policy expert Mariama Anthony-Williams and Kate Krontiris, was also established to guide its transformation into a dynamic civic space.
Yet, observers argue that such ambitions risk being undermined by poor maintenance of basic amenities.
The inadequate sanitation in high-traffic public venues poses risks not only to user comfort but also to hygiene and safety standards. Restroom facilities are a critical component of any modern public infrastructure and should reflect the same level of investment and oversight as main halls and conference spaces.
The issue has sparked calls for urgent intervention by relevant authorities to address the sanitation concerns and ensure that the facility lives up to its renewed status.
For now, the Miatta Civic Centre stands as a symbol of both progress and unfinished work, its modern exterior contrasting sharply with the troubling state of its most basic facilities.
