By: Aaron Bundu Lahai -Head of Media & Public Relations
The Honourable Vice President of Sierra Leone Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has called on the newly elected Mayors, Chairpersons and Councillors of district and city councils in the south-eastern regions to be transparent and accountable in the management of resources provided by central government as well as domestic revenue, he maintained that accountability and transparency of councils would ensure they delivered on President Bio’s second term Big five manifesto pillars. He made the statement during the inauguration ceremony of newly elected Mayors/Chairpersons, and Councillors of district and city councils in the districts of Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba, Pujehun, Kenema, Kailahun and Kono on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th August 2023 at the Gallines Hotel in Bo and City Council Hall in Kenema.
Vice President Jalloh encouraged the elected political heads to embark on serious revenue mobilization in their respective councils, emphasizing on the need for councils to put in place strategies to raise revenue.
Vice President Jalloh who doubles as the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government and Decentralization informed the elected council representatives about plan by government to improve the condition of service of councillors. He assured the council representatives of an increased in allocation because of the councils’ responsibilities to ensure they improved in revenue collection.
He admonished the political heads of councils to build relation with traders, paramount chiefs, and the population. He further admonished the Mayors/Chairpersons to work, support and respect the councillors to motivate them to work and deliver on the councils’ goals.
Dr Jalloh highlighted the achievements of President Bio’s first term New Direction Government including education, health, agriculture, electricity, road and infrastructure amongst others.
He noted that the inauguration ceremonies were the first in history to have huge number of female councillors since the reintroduction of local councils in Sierra Leone. The Honourable Vice President lauded President Bio for women empowerment. He congratulated the councillors on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio.
The Minister of Local Government Amb. Tamba Lamina cited sections in the Local Government Act 2022 as provisions that make it mandatory for all Local Councils’ political heads to subscribe to the oath of office after their elections, adding that the occasion was in conformity with the said legal frameworks.
