By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Minister of Western Region Nabila Tunis has engaged key stakeholders in the Western Area Urban district of Freetown at the Saint Anthony’s hall on Syke Street.
Speaking at the engagement on Thursday 13th January 2022 which brought together representatives of Civil Society Organisations, Bike Riders Union, Transport Workers and General Motor Driver’s Union, Students, Religious and Tribal Heads, and Local Councils, the Minister said that the engagement was for the stakeholders to understand the mandate of the ministry and to have a discussion on how they could work together for the good of the region.
Explaining the mandate and relevance of the ministry, she said the western region is a critical area which requires special attention for which the Ministry was created.
However, she said it is not intended at taking over the role of other ministries and institutions but to ensure that all socio-economic activities of the region are brought to the attention of the government and that the issues are discussed at cabinet level in a bid to strengthen the relationship. “We interface with the local council but not to take over the councils and mandates of MDAs. Mayors do not sit at cabinet but we do. So we are able to discuss those issues at that level. We serve as a liaison between cabinet and the local council,” she said.
In addition, she said the ministry will ensure inclusive governance using people centered approach. Madam Tunis said her ministry has not been that effective since its establishment because they had constraints with funding and vehicles, saying that it was established at the time the government was working on the budgetary allocations for existing MDAS.
However, she said with some committed Sierra Leoneans who volunteered to ensure work is done; they were able to visit some communities in the Western Area region and also take some actions.
She noted that she also travelled to countries like Nigeria and Ghana for learning and sharing on how they could develop the region.
On their activities, she said they have already facilitated the availability of 70 solar lights to light up York community in the Western Area Rural district plus community hall and boreholes through the relevant ministries. She said they also have a slum transformation initiative as part of their strategic plan which is in the developing stage.
However, she said they are yet to have a clear understanding of the strategy to use in terms of whether to remove the slum from the people or to remove the people from the slum.
The participants made several inputs and recommendations to the Minister including a low-cost housing system, removing the ministry from State House where it is currently, so that it can be accessible to the people of western area when they want to channel their concerns. Regular consultation with the stakeholders, expanding the city to other areas, and collaboration with other institutions were part of the many inputs and concerns raised at the meeting.
The stakeholders also pledged their commitment to support the work of the ministry to ensure that the region develops.
In her contribution, the Public Relations Officer of the Freetown City Council, Koma Hassan-Kamara said the ministry should create a desk at the local councils for collaboration purpose. But the Minister said they cannot afford a desk at the councils but that they have a liaison person that collects necessary information from the councils for action.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (14/01/22)
