By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Guidelines that seek to adopt the system of operations for the development of Local Councils have been adopted at a National Forum that includes all councils in the country.
The event took place at the Conference Hall of the New Brookfield Hotel in Freetown on the 6th December, 2022.
In his statement, the President of Local Councils Association of Sierra Leone (LoCASL) who also doubles as the Chairman of Bo District Council, Joseph Munda Bindi expressed gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for supporting the local council development projects in the country. He pointed out that, there are many international organizations in the country, but the work of JICA in supporting the work of local council is very different.
He noted that, the guidelines are meant to share experiences in the work that has been done over the past years, especially in the most recent local councils in the south and the east. He said there is need to adopt a system of operations that will guide the work by the local councils.
LoCASL President recalled that, in 2005 when the councils were established, they introduced what was referred to as the Rapid Result Approach (RRA). He said, the approach was a methodology to help local councils to develop educated programmes that will follow key standard procedures and to ensure that they are done efficiently within time.
He went on to say that, when standard operating procedures are lacking, it is very difficult to assess everybody. He said the guidelines should not only be for local councils, but should be replicated in every institution that will accept, adopt and cover every operation of local councils in the country. He urged everyone to embrace the guidelines for the development of the various communities which he said will make the work of overseeing by the ministry very easy.
Dr. Sheka Bangura, the Director of Planning, Policy and Research at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED), stated that, JICA’s efforts have been in response to requirements and objectives set out in the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2019-2023 towards Sierra Leone’s vision of attaining a Middle-Income Status by 2039.
He reaffirmed that the partnership between the Local Government Ministry and JICA in putting together Operational Guidelines for Local Councils has been enviable and well -received by MOPED. He further said that, MOPED has supported the revitalization of the District Development Coordination Committees (DDCCs) in all 16 districts across the country to enhance effective delivery of the National Development Plan at community level.
Dr. Bangura added that they have also identified the need for rolling out the Government’s Public Investment Programme (PIP) to local Councils to ensure that sound and viable projects are developed at that level for the attention of central government and partners.
He said that, the ministry has drafted broad guidelines to direct national development planning, including formulation of plans at sector, regional and community level consistent with the Wan Fambul Framework/ People’s Planning Process. He reiterated that, the engagement could not have come at a better moment as MOPED is undertaking background documentation of perspectives and ideas toward the formulation of a successor to the current National Development Plan that will end in 2023.
Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Melrose Karminty noted that the ministry has been making efforts to improve performance of Local Councils, based on the belief that decentralized local government system is a principal of effective local service delivery. She said, MLGCA has played a key role for developing capacity of staff of local councils.
“In 2017, MLGRD set “Local Councils” Development Operational Guidelines” as a hands-on reference book for Local Council staff to implement development projects in line with Local Government Act,” she said.
The Project Formulation Advisor of JICA Sierra Leone, Endo Kama hoped that the guidelines will be better implemented through its presentation for sustainable development and that Sierra Leoneans could use them better in the future.
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