By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu Bo City
The Vice President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has underscored the critical role of Local Councils in ensuring orderly and prosperous communities across the nation. Speaking during an inaugural engagement with Bo District and Bo City Councils on August 2, 2024, at the Bo District Council conference hall, Vice President Jalloh emphasized that without robust Local Councils, localities would descend into chaos and deprivation.
The meeting, chaired by Bo District Council Chairman Victor Kosseh Hindowa, brought together council leadership, members, and core staff, as well as representatives from devolved ministries. The objective was to address challenges hindering progress and to identify opportunities for Local Councils to contribute effectively to the government’s “Big Five Game Changers” initiative.
Dr. Jalloh, who also chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), highlighted the government’s commitment to decentralization as a key strategy for empowering local authorities and improving the lives of citizens. He pointed to the Bio-led administration’s delegation of additional functions to Local Councils as evidence of their dedication to this cause. Furthermore, he announced the transition of Chairpersons, Mayors, and their Deputies from receiving sitting allowances to full salaries, alongside increases in staff pay and the introduction of end-of-service benefits for retired council workers.
The Vice President explained that the IMC model is designed not only to enhance the welfare of council members and staff but also to strengthen resource mobilization and foster better collaboration between Local Councils and devolved sectors. Plans are underway to place devolved ministry officials under the direct supervision of Local Councils, enhancing their role in the implementation of the “Big Five Game Changers.”
He urged Local Council leaders to develop clear roadmaps for implementing these initiatives, noting that the “Feed Salone” agenda, a key component of the “Big Five,” has already been rolled out by President Bio. As part of this agenda, the government is supporting local food producers and protecting local industries through the local content policy. Dr. Jalloh highlighted the example of PEE CEE and Sons, a company producing high-quality onions locally, as part of the government’s push for import substitution.
The Vice President also revealed that domestic food imports have been reduced by 22%, and there has been significant expansion in the production of beverages and cooking oil, with exports reaching countries such as Liberia, Mali, and Somalia. Additionally, palm oil production has increased, positioning Sierra Leone favorably within the ECOWAS common tariff agreement.
In discussing the role of Local Council leadership, Dr. Jalloh affirmed that Chairpersons and Mayors hold the highest authority within their councils and should lead in the allocation of resources in alignment with their development plans. He also hinted at plans for horizontal staff promotion, which could see Chief Administrators potentially transitioning to Permanent Secretaries at the central government level.
The Vice President cautioned Chief Administrators and other council officials against adopting confrontational stances towards their Chairpersons and Mayors, warning that such conflicts could adversely affect service delivery. He emphasized the importance of maximizing resource mobilization to enable councils to independently address their needs. He also commended Local Councils for their efforts in combating the abuse of “Kush” and other substances, urging continued effective management of funds allocated for these initiatives.
Dr. Jalloh concluded by encouraging council members to form cooperatives aimed at advancing the “Feed Salone” agenda.
The engagement also featured remarks from the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, the Resident Minister-South, the Mayor of Bo City Council, and other local officials. Their discussions focused on improving conditions of service, including salary increases, relocation allowances, and capacity-building opportunities for council staff.
Similar engagements are planned for other regions in the coming months, as the government seeks to ensure that Local Councils across Sierra Leone are equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development.
