The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, has reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to decentralisation and local governance reforms, announcing the commencement of Phase Two of the New Localities process aimed at strengthening grassroots participation in national development.
Addressing residents, traditional leaders, local authorities, and development partners at the Kono District Council Hall, Minister Lamina described decentralisation as a deliberate policy choice of President Julius Maada Bio to empower communities and bring governance closer to the people.
“Decentralisation is about transferring authority from the centre to local councils so communities can set priorities and make decisions about their own development,” he said, adding that it remains central to the government’s inclusive development agenda.
The Minister explained that the Local Government Act of 2004 provides the legal framework for decentralisation, ensuring coordination between central government ministries and local councils in planning, budgeting, and service delivery. He disclosed that Phase One of the New Localities process has been completed, and Phase Two will now involve extensive consultations with communities to reflect population growth and local realities.
“These reforms are guided by transparency, data, and community engagement,” he noted. “We will only make recommendations after thorough assessments and consultations.”
Minister Lamina also announced accelerated plans to transform Lungi into a modern and internationally competitive hub, describing it as Sierra Leone’s gateway to the world. He said the initiative is particularly timely as President Bio, in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS, is expected to host regional leaders and dignitaries.
On traditional governance, the Minister revealed that since assuming office, his Ministry has successfully conducted 81 Paramount Chieftaincy elections nationwide, assuring that all future elections will continue to follow due process and fairness. He further informed Paramount Chiefs that the Local Government Act is currently under review, with proposed amendments already submitted to the Office of the Attorney General and soon to be tabled in Parliament.
In addition, he announced that the Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, will review the Chieftaincy Act of 2009 to modernise traditional governance structures and address emerging challenges.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor A. Bah, thanked residents and stakeholders for their active participation, emphasising the role of civic education in bridging the gap between government and citizens.
The engagement concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive local governance reforms.