The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs, chaired by Hon. Musa Fofana, on Friday 31/05/2024 and Saturday, 01/06/2024 respectively, conducted an oversight inspection on the European Union-funded project, “Local Authorities Programme Sierra Leone” implemented by Kenema District and Kenema City Councils.
The project is intended to strengthen Local Governance, Decentralization and Sustainable Urban Development through a Territorial Approach to Local Economic Development. The Committee Members observed that the Councils have almost completed the projects’ various components, which commenced around the 2020-2021 financial year, with three years.
The Committee visited various District Council project sites, including the mortuary at Bandama, subcontracted to Columbia Davies, a market and a bridge at Blama, a giant multipurpose hall at Nyandeyama Road in Kenema City, and rehabilitated boreholes, among others.
For the City Council, it was observed by the Committee that several market stores and culverts have been constructed. Capacity-building training for staff and elected officials and other components have been implemented. The Committee Members were satisfied with the project implementation except few issues and queries.
At a meeting held at the Kenema City Hall, Kenema City Council, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, in his statement, stressed that Councils should work in line with the new Act, in tandem with transparency and accountability. He emphasised teamwork among the Chief Administrator, Mayor and other stakeholders to implement development.
Mayor of Kenema City, Thomas K. Baio, said they are doing what is good for the people, and went on to speak about prevailing issues among the council and the relationship between himself and the administration.
The Chief Administrator, Joseph G. T. Gando, did a presentation on the project implementation. He explained a lot of positive achievements and their challenges. Earlier, the District Chief Administrator, Ahmed Koroma, made a similar presentation. The Kenema District Council Chairperson, Mohamed A. Sesay, reassured the Committee Members of positive development. The Committee Members were also able to mediate between the administration and political leaders.
