By Prince J Musa in Kenema
As part of supporting decentralized service delivery, the Kenema District Council with support from European Union has commissioned two modern markets.
The facilities which were commissioned on the 13th December 2022 in Tongo in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom and Blama in the Small Bo Chiefdom Kenema district included rice milling machines.
The First Counselor and Head of Cooperation EU Sierra Leone, Gerald Hatler said implementation of the project shows that decentralization is working at local level and EU is glad to work with the Ministry of local government in taking development to the people through councils, stating that they know the people’s needs.
Whilst addressing the women, Hatler encouraged them to pay taxes, revealing that funds used to bring development to the country are other tax payers’ monies. He told them to see tax as a source of development. He also called on council to ensure that the project is judiciously used.
In his keynote address, Minister of Local Government, Ambassador Tamba Lamina commended the contractor for completing the project within the timeframe, so people can make use of the structures.
The minister mentioned the provision of latrine and water so that the women will conduct their business in a clean environment and advised them to take proper care of the building.
He praised the Chairman of the Kenema district council for taking development to the sixteen chiefdoms.
‘’I want to assure the people that more development will come as long the people work with council and support the government’’, the minister promised.
He noted that from the report submitted by the council chairman, women were in dire need of a market, stating that from the jubilation and mood surrounding the event, he could see that the council did the right thing.
Lamina also advised the women to pay their dues, in order for council to bring more development to the district and thanked the EU for bestowing confidence on the government and taking development to the people.
The Chairman of council, Mohamed Amodu Sesay stated that along with the markets, road culverts and bridges are being built in parts of the sixteen chiefdoms in the district especially in Small Bo chiefdom.
Sesay explained that the project is aligned to achieving President Julius Maada Bio’s promise that local councils will be used as a vehicle to take development to the people
He expressed appreciation to the EU and Road Maintenance Fund Administration for being supportive t and assured the people of the council’s commitment to continue serving them in the area of development.
He encouraged the community to take good care of the facilities .
The Paramount Chief of Small Bo Mohamed Dhaffie Benya commended the government and all partners involved in the project.
‘’Empowering Kenema district council for efficient service delivery to the citizens’’, was the initiated slogan for the commissioning.
Copyright © 2022 Politico (16/12/22)
