The news of the meeting last week between the leaderships National Social Security and Insurance Trust of (NASSIT) and Sierra Leone Housing Corporation (SALHOC) to discuss the outlines of a strategic partnership comes as reassuring fresh breath of air from the two institutions. In the meeting we see indications of the pursuit of resurgence of SALHOC by the new management and Board. To his credit, we have seen how General Manager Joseph Munda has been doing all the preparatory engagements with critical public and private institutions, to position SALHOC to better deliver its mandate. For NASSIT, we see a similar pursuit of calibrated efforts for expanded services; evidenced significantly in Managing Director Fouad Daboh’s recent strategic move into the informal sector.
The prospects of a strategic partnership between NASSIT and SALHOC certainly show that an additional horizon is emerging for a better Sierra Leone. Afterall, improved housing stands at the core of human dignity; influencing children’s education, household health and food security, among other social comforts. Government clearly recognises this when it set a target in the National Development Plan to pursue housing as a fundamental pathway to poverty alleviation and economic growth.
In many ways Managing Director Daboh and General Manager Munda share the burden of delivering government’s housing sector objectives. It is in this regard that the leaders of the two institutions must be commended for starting discussions on cooperation and partnership. It can be done and it should be done. Both NASSIT and SALHOC have the experience, the regulatory anchors, and valuable assets to bring to the table regarding housing revolution in the country. We urge the two institutions to set the table and demonstrate the magic of visionary leadership.
