By: Hajaratu S. Bangura
The government of President Julius Maada Bio has unveiled a proposed blueprint to transform Lungi into a modern economic hub, forming part of a nationwide redistricting initiative aimed at improving local governance and public service delivery.
Speaking during the Lungi Civic Day Series on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at St. Augustine School, the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, presented the proposed Lungi City Map to local authorities, residents, and students.
The proposed map outlines a structured master plan developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Housing. The plan expands the city’s boundaries across Kaffu Bullom and neighbouring communities to curb unplanned urban growth. “The proposed Lungi City will cover a vast area,” Minister Lamina stated. “We are currently working on the mapping process. This will be a new city that we will manage together.”
The blueprint designates specific zones for schools, shopping malls, and recreational facilities. The Government’s long-term vision is to establish Lungi as a premier “Gateway City” and a designated Special Economic Zone.
Under the proposal, the city is expected to host a new university, a National Conference Centre, and the highly anticipated Lungi Bridge, which would directly connect the northern peninsula to Freetown. “This will be a city of diplomacy, economic prosperity, commerce, and travel,” Lamina emphasized. “This is not about politics; it is about how we develop our country holistically.”Beyond Lungi, the Minister explained that the national redistricting initiative seeks to update the post-war decentralization reforms introduced in 2004 in response to increasing demographic pressures.
He noted that the population of Freetown has grown dramatically, rising from approximately 400,000 residents several decades ago to nearly 1.5 million today.To address these changes, the Government’s second phase of reforms proposes the creation of two new districts – Bandajuma and Kpanguma as well as additional local councils for the Western Urban and Western Rural districts.
“We decided to embark on a second phase of reorganisation to improve service delivery and ensure that the voices of the people are properly represented,” Minister Lamina said.
According to the Minister, the technical and consultative phases of the initiative have now been completed. The final report will be submitted to the President and the Attorney General before being presented to Parliament as a statutory instrument.
Once approved through a presidential proclamation, the Ministry of Finance is expected to allocate funding for the operationalization of the proposed districts and the development of the modern Lungi City project.