By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Leader of the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the European Union (EU), Dr. Julius Munthali has been recognized for the role he played in implementing EU projects in the District Councils of Sierra Leone, whilst he was presenting a status report of the project, at the end of mission.
The event took place at the conference room of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Relations (MLGCR) at Youyi Building on the 2nd March 2023.
Dr. Munthali noted that the design of the project covers three main components namely Institutional Development, Improving Service Delivery, and Revenue Generation/Mobilization/Collection and Management.
He stated that the EU-funded projects have done quite a lot in terms of building the institutional capacity of the councils. He said they were able to procure motor vehicles, and computers and facilitated the implementation of the projects.
Dr. Munthali added that in terms of building capacities of the Human Resources in the councils, they conducted a capacity assessment in all the targeted councils and developed capacity-building strategies that specifically talk about issues to be implemented on the project.
On service delivery, he said, during the sector prioritization, they were able to identify sectors that have to be supported. He further said that the Financing agreement signed between the EU and the Government of Sierra Leone included areas that the government had already picked up such as the education sector plan.
He reiterated that they took out the education sector plan due to the fact that the EU was supporting it through different projects and they opted to focus on infrastructural development, agriculture, energy for the councils and water supply.
He said the EU has constructed a few boreholes and in Bombali, 46 water facilities that have been handed over to various communities.
“We urged various Chief Administrators (CAs) to train pump technicians if any fault arises whiles using them and they should be collecting NLE 2 as maintenance fees to keep them working,” he said.
On Agriculture, he said, the project supported mechanization in Bombali and Pujehun districts to test how it will work out in the first year of implementation.
1,500 (One thousand, five hundred) farmers in the various council were targeted and trained on good agronomic practices.
On revenue generation, the EU team lead pointed out that, over time, the councils should be getting less from the central government and urged them to be very creative in generating more revenue to provide services to the communities. He singled out Kambia Council for generating more revenue.
The C.A. of Bombali District Council, Vivian Sally Senesie recalled meeting Dr. Munthali at the Bombali District Council, who showed humility even though he is the team leads.
She thanked him for the support and platform he has provided them.
The Finance Officer of Kenema District Council, Kemoh A. Sattie expressed delight to the EU Commission for providing them with Grant support which they have utilized in the three supported areas Munthali had earlier highlighted. He said much of what they have achieved cannot be unconnected from the support of the PM and described Dr. Munthali as hardworking and that they will miss him dearly.
The Acting Minister of Local Government, Melrose Karminty recognized the role Dr. Munthali played in terms of putting everything together to make sure the district council benefited. She said the three components mentioned are all critical components the country needed for development processes.
She said the ministry benefited greatly from the EU team lead’s expertise and will always be remembered.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (03/03/23)
