By: Aminata Sameena Sesay
The European Union (EU) has joined partners to support the local Government with market facilities, 33 bedrooms of students’ hostels, a cattle paddock and water facilities in Bombali District, northern Sierra Leone.
This was disclosed in Makeni on the 8th December, as Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina commissioned two newly constructed markets and water facilities in Panlap, Makama and Kabonka communities in Bombali. The programme is an EU support to civil society and local authorities for local development in the country’s project which was initiated in five districts.
He noted that the project is a stepping stone and foundation of revenue generation for the district.
Lamina said that local councils are the main instrument of development, due to the fact that they have structures that give accountability for all projects which are government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) priority. He also said that the project is a result of the vast consultations with the locals during the assessment period, which makes the facilities a direct reflection of what the people need.
He said that local councils need a lot of funds to take up developmental projects in their communities. He further said that the initiatives will increase the revenue base of the district council, saying that the taxes generated from the facilities commissioned will serve as revenue for further developmental projects in the community.
He urged market women not to see the taxes paid as an extra burden on them. He emphasized that the project is in harmony with human capital development which is the aim of the president; hence the project was launched to complement such efforts.
He also stressed the need for the EU to provide standard buildings in the nearby communities of Falaba and Karene seen as still behind when it comes to residence development. He admonished residents of the district to take ownership of these facilities and provide the necessary security for them.
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