By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
In a landmark initiative for more people entered approach plans, the Building Accountability Systems through Empowerment Communities (BASE) project, the Institute for Governance Reforms (IGR) together with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development have on Thursday 14th November 2024 launched the first-ever Local Council Development Plans in Sierra Leone.
This landmark initiative was officially launched by the Hon. Minister of Planning and Economic Development madam Kenyeh Barlay who also delivered the keynote address at the launching. The Local Council Development Plans was officially launched for the six BASE supported districts councils which are Falaba, Karene, Kono, Moyamba, Tonkolili and Western Area Rural.
In her poignant keynote address, the Planning and Economic Development Minister passionately acknowledged the significance of such a project and commended USAID for the support, BASE and IGR for putting together the outstanding plans. Emphasizing how informative and people’s entered the plans are, madam Barlay assured that sustainable and real-time developments set to be recorded if the project is successfully implemented.
With this project, Minister Barlay underscored that it is the first time, districts plans and priorities are breakdown from the Medium Term National Development Plan, making it easier and affordable for implementation. She affirmed that the Local Council Development Plans for the six districts councils are in line with the seven years national plan as well as the big five agenda of the government. As the Ministry had almost the same plan with the civil societies spearheading the project, madam Barlay hence expressed the need for collaboration to effectively deliver for the country. The Minister assured continued support to BASE and IGR on this project to achieve real-time developments while urging the councils representatives for implementation of the project.
During the launching of the initiative, Andrew Lavali of IGR and madam Fredline of 50-50 Group who are also heads of the BASE project delivered a brief but highly statistical presentation, capturing the goals, objectives and intervention areas of the Base project. They continued with some of the key results achieved in the past 18 months since the BASE project was launched as the project has helped to increase revenue, support Local Councils and MDAs with citizens consultations, established an LGST website, increased more partnerships and accountability in the aforementioned districts councils.
In the presentation, Andrew and Fredline further revealed some notable developments achieved with the Local Governance and Services Tracker launched (LGST) by BASE which has efficiently ensured an evenly and timely national budget transfers to Local Councils moving it from 23 percent in 2023 to 64 percent in 2024. The presentation also revealed Local Governance and Services Tracker trends in trust and distrust, trends in agriculture, education and health where some achievements and as well as challenges identified.
Making the launching event more interactive as the plans are people’s centered approach, representatives from the six districts councils were invited for a roundabout discussions where they gave insights on the differences recorded over the recent years. They were asked several questions on the initiative and positive feedback were given, describing the project as a bottom-top approach, demand driven approach and a people centered approach. They explained some of the major areas they need supports for sustainable developments in their respective districts.
Concluding the launching event, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development madam Kenyeh Barlay was called upon for the official launching of the project. “On behalf of the Government of His Excellency Rt. Brg. Julius Maada Bio and in the name of the people of the respective districts and communities, I officially launch the Development Plans for Local Councils in the six districts,” the Minister launched the plans calling for collaborative efforts for successful implementation.