By: Mohamed M. Sesay
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Madam Melrose Karminty, has yesterday the 28th of July 2022, introduced and recited the Local Government Act of 2021 for the first and second time in the well of Parliament for possible amendment.
The overall objective of the bill is to consolidate and amend the law on local government and decentralization with specific focus on devolution of structures. The bill also delegates, functions, powers and services to local councils from Central government, cognizant of the principle of subsidiarity of Central government working in close collaboration and partnership with sub national entities such as Local and Chiefdom councils).
In her presentation, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Madam Melrose Karminty disclosed that the bill is to ensure that the provisions in the bill are current and consistent with the National Decentralization Policy of 2020. She furthered that the bill would deepen good governance, strengthen human rights, and the rule of law at the local level. She added that the bill would also deepen devolution and strengthen the capacity of local government institutions at local councils and chiefdom councils), and also to deliver essential and basic services to localities working in collaboration with the Central government.
The Deputy Minister continued that Part XV of the bill prescribes for the Minister to be responsible for management of the Local Government and decentralization process. She said the bill also vests powers in the president to take over control of councils where the need arises. Madam Melrose Karminty also furthered the bill would establish Regional Coordinating Committees and makes them more accountable. She also assured Members of Parliament that Part XV1 of the bill provides for Transparency and Accountability which subjects every councilor to any legislation relating to anti-corruption.
On his part, the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Aaron Koroma, elucidated that the Local government carries development across the country. He said the Bill is not political adding that, the bill will now enhance candidates in local councils to represent their councils as both independent and political representation.
He added that they have also removed qualification for councilors to contest election as align with the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Aaron Koroma also expressed that the bill is gender inclusive and it deepens Local Government participation and promote ethnicity as tribal heads are part of the Council committee.
In his contribution, the Leader for Coalition for Change Party Emerson Lamina acknowledged that the bill is important. He dilated that one of the reasons for the rebel war was lack of decentralization because power was centralized. Hon. Emerson Lamina disclosed that the bill creates provision for staff to transfer from Local Council to Center government which he considered as a laudable step. He said the roles and responsibilities for the Chief Administrator and the Major is not clear of which the bill intends to address. He added that pension and retirement benefits for Mayor and Chairman working full five days would also be addressed by the Local Government Bill.
However, the Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie moved a motion for the bill to be sent to the legislative committee for further scrutiny before passing into law.
