By: Aminata Sesay
The Legislative Committee of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, chaired by Hon. Abdul S.M. Conteh, has concluded an intensive working session focused on reviewing and strengthening the proposed Physical Planning and Land Use Management Bill. The session featured technical consultations and a detailed clause-by-clause review, aimed at refining institutional frameworks and improving policy coordination at the national, regional, district, and local levels.
A key focus of the deliberations was the composition, structure, and mandate of the National Physical Planning Committee, along with its subordinate regional and local planning committees. Members of Parliament (MPs) examined how these bodies would collaborate to develop and implement land use master plans that align with Sierra Leone’s development goals, while also ensuring adherence to planning standards and disaster risk reduction strategies.
Hon. Conteh underscored the importance of aligning legal frameworks with real-world governance dynamics:
“Planning is not just a document exercise; it must reflect the needs of citizens, councils, and ministries alike. We must embed coordination and accountability in these legal provisions.”
The committee reached consensus on improving representation across all levels of planning. These improvements include ensuring inclusion of local councils, civil society organizations, environmental experts, and private sector stakeholders. Structural adjustments were also made to regional and district planning bodies—for instance, District Council Chairpersons will now serve as lead chairs in their jurisdictions, while Mayors will act as co-chairs where applicable.
To eliminate administrative ambiguity, MPs agreed to explicitly name relevant ministries and departments such as Environment, Works, Agriculture, and Water Resources as standing members of district-level committees, replacing the previously vague reference to “any other member.”
The committee also emphasized the need for consistent monitoring and evaluation. Local councils will be required to submit regular progress reports detailing achievements, strategies, challenges, and compliance with national and district-level planning regulations.
Public engagement was another priority. The revised bill mandates stronger public awareness and participation, enabling communities to actively contribute to and benefit from local planning initiatives.
Revenue-sharing provisions were debated as well. MPs discussed how internally generated revenue (IGR) from planning activities should be distributed. Proposals under review suggest a formula that allocates funds among the Ministry of Lands, local councils, and the national treasury aiming to ensure both sustainability of planning initiatives and protection against excessive central control.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Conteh praised the inclusive and collaborative nature of the review process:
“This is not just a legislative text; it is a blueprint for orderly development, disaster resilience, and environmental stewardship in Sierra Leone.”
The final version of the bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming weeks, following harmonization with related laws such as the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Act and existing land use policies. Stakeholders from the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Local Government, and various civil society groups will participate in the final drafting phase.
Once passed, this legislation is expected to serve as a cornerstone in Sierra Leone’s long-term vision for sustainable spatial planning, national development, and climate adaptation.