BY: Hassan Alimamy Kamara
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ambassador Tamba Lamina, addressing the press, has confirmed that Sierra Leone is to benefit from a total of two hundred (200) waste trucks from the Russian Federation. He made this closure last thursday, 22nd September 2022 at the Ministry of Information and Communications weekly press briefing, Youyi Building in Freetown.,
He added that the first batch of fifty (50) trucks has already been given to the Government and to the ministry concerned.
Going further, Ambassador Lamina also assured the press that another batch of fifty waste trucks will be coming to the country in a week’s time.
Explaining the root behind this development, Ambassador Lamina stated that this has been achieved through the trips of the president, Dr Julius Maada Bio, and in his course to have engaged with the Russian government which have come thus far.
However, the minister said there are still critical areas pending to be addressed. He went further that amidst the international constraints, revenue mobilization has been hugely affected across the world, and Sierra Leone is not an exception.
Regarding the state of his ministry, he said various councils have been working ardently to implement government policies; adding that monitoring councils is a standard and a requirement of the ministry.
In the area of budget allocation, he boasted that the transfer of allocations has been effective than ever before. In that regard, he said the Ministry of Finance has transferred 51% to local councils and is working towards the remaining 49%. He added that despite the Covid-19 pandemic and other international situations, it has not been easy, but they have tried to adjust.
Relative to peace, he said his ministry has the mandate to make peace and stability reign in every locality; and he has been working with regional localities, to achieve this.
Furthermore, he said his ministry has embarked on reviewing the Local Government Act of 2004, which has been completed through nationwide consultations; and that when parliament resumes in October this year, it will be one among the laws to be passed.
He said the mission of his ministry is to establish an inclusive and accountable local government structure, local services, and help them develop their own priorities. This is in line with the manifesto promise of President Bio who had promised to strengthen decentralization.
