By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
As the June 2023 elections approach, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has in a letter dated 8th February, 2023 notified Sierra Leone‘s Mayors, District Chairpersons and Councilors to vacate their offices effective 1st March, 2023.
The ministry also instructed them to do a comprehensive handing over of their offices to the Chief Administrators accordingly.
The letter stated that the mayors, district chairpersons and councilors have been able to work collaboratively to enhance governance and service delivery in their various localities and referenced President Julius Maada Bio’s appreciation message in his “Meet the People tour” where he described the significant role local councils played in the governance architecture at sub-national level.
The local government ministry’s letter wished mayors and district chairpersons who are on their second term, to continue serving their country in other capacities moving forward. It also wished good luck to those intending to run for office again, in the coming elections and that the ministry would be delighted to work with them again.
The ministry in the letter directed the Chief Administrators to accordingly take full inventory of the council’s assets and finances before the 28th of February, 2023.
The Directorate of Decentralization in the Ministry and the Fiscal Decentralization Directorate in the Ministry of Finance is said to continue to provide comprehensive monitoring of Council activities whilst at the same time providing technical and professional support until such a time when the fourth council is ushered in.
In the meantime, the local government ministry is said to be operating an open door policy for any inquiries or clarifications.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is charged with the responsibility of promoting a decentralized and good local governance system, facilitating delivery of quality municipal services in order to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development.
Copyright © 2023 Politico Online (13/02/23)
