By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has officially commissioned 62 ultra-modern Stores including those to hold grains and other agricultural yields. The stores were constructed by the Kenema City Council under the home sources revenue mobilization scheme.
During the commissioning in Kenema on the 28th Marc, the Chief Minister said government has no doubt in the political leadership of both city and district councils considering their development trajectory as manifested during their first tenure of office.
He noted that if other councils can emulate Kenema council, they will undertake more development and reduce the burden on the central government. He said this shows that citizens’ taxes are not being misused, and he encouraged people to work with their elected officials for more development.
The minister affirmed that government will work with more partners to support the city council to foster improvement and urged other local councils to copy from the Kenema city council on development pointers. He said that the grain store is in line with the government’s Feed Salone Agenda and appealed to the users to hold the facilities well for it intended purposes.
The Chief Administrator of Kenema City Council, Joseph G.T Gando said the commissioning of the 62 stores was to help the council in its revenue generation.
He pointed out that as a result of the initiative from both political and administrative leadership of the council and the economic potentials for the council, the Ministry of finance supported the council to do the next 31 stores.
The chief Administrator hopes that come 2025 the council will increase its service delivery to the people and see how it will also finance its devolved sectors such as Agriculture, Social welfare, health, education, fire force without depending on the central government for such support.
He implored the citizens to continue paying their taxes so that service delivery will be easier for the council as they have put a lot of plan to enhance development for that part of the country.
In his statement, the Mayor of Kenema, Thomas Karimu Baio noted that the 62 stores will be an added revenue base for the council as it has opened bids for other subsequent stores to be constructed. He thanked President Julius Maada Bio for the gesture and looked forward to more development for the people.
The deputy Minister of Internal Affairs who also doubles as SLPP district chairman, Moriba Koroma described the work of the council as important as the party did not mistake by giving him the Kenema Mayoral symbol.
Minister of State, East Gbessay Jusu Ngobeh told the people of Kenema that with all visible developments Kenema desires peace and unity for more development.
He told the Chief Minister and government officials that both the district and city councils are delivering the government manifestos including human capital development and therefore informed the gathering that government is prepared to bring more development if only there is peace and unity among the people.
In his statement, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alfred Morie Jamiru expressed delight over the work of local councils in Kenema. He advised against political influence in allocating the stores and thanked the people of Kenema for paying their taxes.He assured of the ministry’s fullest support to any council that is working with government agenda.
Copyright © 2024 Politico Online (08/04/24)
