By: Mohamed Jalloh
The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has held its Technical Review Committee meeting (TRC) on Thursday 25th August 2022 at the Commission`s headquarters at Gloucester Street in Freetown.
Isatta Max-Kyne, the Commissioner of NaCSA stated that they work with partners who are mainly district councils in the implementation of the Pro-Poor Growth for Peace Consolidation (GPC) programme because they are charged with the mandate to deliver development in their localities.
Madam Kyne said the presence of the local councils (such as Council Chairmen, Chief Administrators, District Engineers) at the TRC meeting should not be underestimated as they are the ones that can update the commission on the development reality of their localities.
She noted that the commission has done tremendous work in Kailahun and Koinadugu districts but further added that they are scaling down in those districts and rather focusing in districts such as Kambia and Kono.
The Commissioner reveals that the aim of the meeting is to critically review programmes that were submitted by the Councils for onward endorsement to bilateral partners(such as the Government of the federal republic of Germany) and the government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Finance that funds the implementation of these projects.
Given that there are other partners working in these areas, Madam Kyne discloses how such meetings are vital in order to avoid duplication of efforts, getting the maximum benefit out of these projects and to share and cross-fertilize ideas among stakeholders.
She reveals that the first phase of the GPC programme began in 2006 and ended in 2017 with a financial commitment of Euros11million from donor partners and government of Sierra Leone.
Commisioner Kyne said the second phase from 2017-2019 attracted an increment in financial commitment to the sum of Euros 12.33 Million.
She said the final phase of the programme from 2019-2023 has also witnessed an increment in the amount of Euros20 Million.
“The increment of financial commitment in each phase of the GPC programme represents a confidence boost from bilateral partners that NaCSA is working in a stable environment”, the commissioner reveals.
Madam Max-Kyne stated that NaCSA projects are specifically tailored to target the critical mass of the population by putting money in people`s pockets through their interventions in the Agricultural sector.
She said NaCSA`s support to the agricultural has led to increased income generation that has positively impacted the local economy.
Madam kyne noted that the construction of feeder roads and bridges will link markets by allowing farmers to easily transport their products to the buyers.
“The construction of grain stores, milling machines, solar light facilities and other auxiliary services has improved the value chain to ensure adequate value addition to the products of farmers”, she disclosed.
The Commissioner pointed out that by investing in these facilities youths will be prevented from engaging in anti-social and undemocratic activities and it would further minimize the mass exodus of youths from the rural areas to cities.
She affirmed that the projects implemented by NaCSA are multi-sectorial such as development of infrastructure, support to boost agricultural value chain, financial support to vulnerable groups and the capacity building of NaCSA staff.
Madam Max-Kyne concluded by commending state actors such as the ministry of finance and other bilateral partners such as the World Bank for the unflinching support rendered to NaCSA for the implementation of its projects.
