Several revelations were made at the just ended workshop organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs Local Government and Rural Development funded by development partners about Government Ministries and Agencies refusal to devolve functions to Local Councils which has impeded economic growth and rural development.
Several Local Council representatives drawn from all parts of the country expressed disappointment and frustration over the neglect and marginalization of councils in terms of getting grants, and remittances from the central government.
It was also revealed that the lack of funds has seriously hampered Local Council initiatives in undertaking development projects at community level and that donor driven projects are also difficult to monitor because councils are not consulted in most cases, they complained.
Councils also complained that some of the Government Ministries and Agencies are reluctant to officially hand over their functions to the councils and failing to provide funds for the implementation of council projects.
It was unanimously agreed at the end of the deliberation on Saturday that all the Government Ministries and Agencies failing to adhere to the terms and conditions of the Local Government Act, should be penalized and forced to recognize the Local Council by devolving their functions.
The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) came under serious criticism from Local Councils for not collaborating with councils in the implementation of projects, particularly in the rehabilitation of feeder roads and monitoring of contractors.
It was also revealed that some times councils had to beg or bribe MDAs before funds are allocated and that there is lack of transparency and accountability in most of the organs of Government, as there is lack of comprehensive data functions.
According to Local Government Minister Dauda Kamara there is a need to restructure chiefdom administration, increase revenue drive, capacity building for councils and establishment of a reliable legislative framework or a policy document to guide the devolution process.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the Local Councils and development partners for creating the forum for Local Councils to explain their difficulties and find corresponding solutions and recommendations to the Government and donor partners. He urged participants to adequately inform their communities about their roles and responsibilities. The Ministry of Agriculture, Health and Sanitation were the only two Government Ministries that had officially devolved their functions to the Local Councils and they were commended by the Government, councilors and the donor partners for fulfilling their obligations.
The Chairman of the Local Government Committee in Parliament Hon. Philipson Kamara assured Local Councils present for the work shop of the commitment and determination of Parliament in preparing the legislative frame work that will ensure the devolution of Government activities.
Representatives of Government Ministries, Agencies Local Councils and the Civil Society sat together to plan for the future on providing an improved service delivery to the people. A participant remarked to this Press that “we only hope that they will see reason and devolve functions to councils so that the people will take charge of their responsibilities at community level.”
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