By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina has said they are working on de-amalgamating chiefdoms where he said there is power struggle and persistent disunity.
Lamina was updating newsmen of his ministry’s activities at the government’s weekly press conference held at Foreign Affairs Ministry in Freetown on 28th May 2024.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs is working on de-amalgamating some chiefdoms, a process that was started by the previous government,” he added.
He described the process of becoming paramount chief as a “difficult” one, which he said is attained through birthright. He went on to highlight that there are currently twenty-two local councils and 190 chiefdoms across the country, emphasizing the safeguarding and protection of paramount chieftaincy as one of the entrenched clauses in the national constitution.
On the twelve newly- crowned paramount chiefs from different chiefdoms across the country, he described the event as colorful due to the coronation of two female paramount chiefs. “Chieftaincy is based on the customs and traditions of the locality. Where the customs and traditions allow, male and female can contest for the position,” he noted.
Lamina noted how one of the female paramount chiefs is from Koya Chiefdom in Yomaba District and the other from Nongoba Bullom Chiefdom in Bonth.
He went on to explain how their government has increased salaries of paramount chiefs and chiefdom speakers. He added their government has also given 45 paramount chiefs vehicles and that the remaining paramount chiefs would have theirs after the second consignment of vehicles arrive. These vehicles he said will be used to facilitate chiefdom activities.
He condemned those local authorities at chiefdom level who levy hefty fines on their subjects for crimes committed.
Speaking during the press conference, one of the 12 paramount Chiefs of the just concluded coronation ceremony, PC Amy Tator Kallon Tibbie from Koya Chiefdom in Moyamba District noted that there are many young paramount chiefs these days.
Speaking about their role as paramount chiefs, Tibbie said they are moral guarantors, and that they should be symbols of peace, love and unity in their various chiefdoms.
She called on her colleague paramount chiefs to be soliciting projects for the development of their respective chiefdoms. "We are seeking development from government, NGOs, development partners," she emphasised.
She expressed her preparedness and determination to work with her chiefdom people. “For me when I won the chieftaincy election, I called on all in my chiefdom. I didn't discriminate against anyone,” she added.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (31/05/24)
