By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has unveiled plans to restructure Sierra Leone’s administrative boundaries as part of broader efforts to enhance governance and improve service delivery across the country.
Speaking at the Ministry’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Minister Tamba Lamina detailed the redistricting initiative under the revised Local Government Act of 2022. The reform will see the creation of two new districts Panguma and Bandajuma aimed at promoting a more equitable distribution of resources and services.
Minister Lamina noted that the changes form a key component of President Julius Maada Bio’s vision to strengthen local governance and drive development at the grassroots level.
“The creation of these new districts, along with the establishment of additional administrative councils in Freetown and the Western Rural Area, will promote more effective governance and boost local revenue mobilization,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the redistricting process will be inclusive, with broad consultations mandated by the President to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice. This participatory approach is intended to align the reforms with the needs of local communities and guarantee fair representation within the administrative framework.
The Ministry expects the redistricting to streamline local government operations, enhance service delivery, and facilitate targeted economic development at the district level. Ultimately, the reforms aim to build a more resilient and responsive system of local governance to better serve the people of Sierra Leone.