By Ruth Yeabu Sesay
For the first time in the history of Sierra Leone, Mayors and Councilors are set to be on the government payroll.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Relations, Melrose Gabisie said this at the weekly Government press briefing held at the Ministry of Information and Communications’ conference hall, Youyi Building on the 16th February 2023.
She noted that in the past, local council employees didn’t receive any benefit after their term of office ended but would now be provided with benefits at the end of their service.
. She emphasized that the local council elections won’t be postponed and that the ministry will abide by the law which has been enacted.
While speaking to the Press, Gabisie emphasized that it is impossible for Mayors and Local Council heads to be in office until their handing over ceremony as she said it will not ensure a level playing field for those wanting to contest for various positions.
Speaking about the new local government law, she said the ministry will ensure that community and public sensitization about the new law is conducted and people guided on how to know their rights and perform their responsibilities as heads of their communities.
The deputy minister noted that at the time they assumed office, they met a lot of vacuum with the administration of Paramount Chiefs which compounded the situation. She said the vacuum and confusion created have been resolved, noting that about 38 paramount chieftaincy elections have been conducted and some chiefs who were driven from their chiefdoms have returned to their respective positions except the one at Lower Banta.
She pointed out that elections of paramount chiefs in 40 chiefdoms have been put on hold, saying the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) has instead given prominence to conducting the national elections to be held on the 24th June, 2023.
In conclusion, she told journalists that the name of the ministry has been changed to Ministry of Local Government and Community Relations owing to the fact that, their work is not only based on dealing with rural area activities but they also work with various communities in the country.
Copyright © 2023 Politico Online (17/02/23)
