By: alusinerehme.wilson@awokonewspaper.sl
Makeni, SIERRA LEONE – APC and SLPP officials in the Northeast region have taken their oath of office. A total of 101 elected Councilors, District Chairpersons, and Mayors from both parties participated in the ceremony, which was held at the Makeni city council hall on Saturday.
This significant event was organized as part of a recent mediation dialogue between the Sierra Leone government and the main opposition party, APC, marking the end of a period of non-participation by the opposition.
Out of the 101 officials, 78 were from the APC, including Councilors, district chairpersons, and mayors. The remaining 23 were elected under the SLPP ticket and represented various districts such as Bombali, Falaba, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, and Makeni city council.
In the presence of a large crowd, which included Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Northeast region Resident Minister Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma, and Local Government Minister Tamba Lamina, the elected officials took their respective oaths. Also in attendance were the elected Bombali Members of Parliament under the APC ticket, as well as relatives and grassroots supporters from both parties.
These officials swore to uphold their duties diligently and protect the interests of their respective constituencies for the benefit of the nation as a whole.
Before the inauguration ceremony of the remarkable event began, a special military parade was organized for the vice president of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. In his keynote address, he congratulated the elected officials of the various district and city councils in the northeast region. He emphasized the importance of working together, setting aside party differences, for the benefit of their respective councils and ultimately, the nation.
He also informed the elected local council officials that the central government, led by President Julius Maada Bio, “has increased the seating fees and other remunerations for all council officials and paramount chiefs.
“These paramount chiefs are now considered part of their respective local councils under the 2022 Local Government Act. The central government will continue to support the local councils in achieving the goals of the “big five agenda,” he added.
Other speakers, including the Resident Minister of the Northeast region, Abu Abdulai Koroma, the Local Government Minister Tamba Lamina, and his Director Alex Bonafa, echoed the call for unity.
They urged the elected officials to prioritize the interests of the country by generating revenue and promoting transparency and accountability to their constituents.
Following the historic inauguration ceremony, His Worship the Mayor of the Makeni City Council Abubakarr Lamtales Kamara, the APC SLPP Councillor-elect Agness Samura of Falaba District, and the Resident Minister Northeast Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma expressed their appreciation to Awoko Newspaper for the government’s swift efforts in implementing the joint agreement of the three-day Bintumani peace dialogue.
In conclusion they say “the peace dialogue has not only resolved the non-political participation standoff but is paving the way for national development through unity.” ARW/30/10/2023