By Mabinty M. Kamara
The European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, speaking on a visit to Bombali in northern Sierra Leone has called on the people to pay their taxes for the development of localities. Manuel Muller said the EU provided 2.5 million euros for projects in Bombali and that the money came from tax payers from the 27 EU member countries.
“Now let me tell you one very important thing and why is it possible that the European Union comes to other countries and gives support for their development, it is because EU tax payers in all 27 member states pay taxes. What is very much important for the district councils and for everyone is that everyone pays their taxes. So I encourage you all to pay your taxes because the district councils can do a lot of good in the service delivery to ensure development in your localities,” he said.
The Ambassador was speaking at an event held on the 13th of May this year in Makeni, during a road trip of the EU-Sierra Leone Bus Tour and pop up exhibition which aimed to showcase the impact of the EU Member States’ interventions across various communities in Sierra Leone.
He expressed appreciation over the projects implemented in the district, noting that the EU works with the government of Sierra Leone, the local councils and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other partners to ensure sustainable development. He said they support the priority projects of the government, the district councils and reason for which he said he was delighted.
The EU through the council supports diverse development initiatives in the district such as agricultural development including paddock system of cattle rearing to prevent growing cattle conflicts between herdsmen and crop farmers in that part of the country, the rehabilitation of feeder roads leading to agricultural communities, construction of agricultural infrastructure and a 52 bedroom student hostels for Unimak’s Yoni campus, capacity building for council staff, institutional support and civil society strengthening.
In his statement, the Mayor of Makeni, Abu Bakarr L. Kamara expressed appreciation to the EU for their support to the nation and the district in particular while calling on the Ambassador to also consider Makeni city council in their subsequent interventions, noting that the city like any other places has felt needs.
As the EU delegation in Sierra Leone continues to commemorate Europe Day on May 9, the team is on a nationwide bus tour to monitor the impact of the development projects supported by the EU and its member states in Sierra Leone such as Ireland, Germany and France.
The visits according to the EU-Team will also help them identify gaps in their interventions for better outcomes and foster the EU – Sierra Leone development Cooperation through the support of key intervention areas of the government of Sierra Leone. The Ambassador was welcomed by the people of Bombali with spirited cultural performances during which they chanted the good works of their development partners in their district.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (15/05/24)
