By Dadson A. Musa
On Friday, 29th November 2024 at the Bo district council hall, mayors, chairpersons, CAs and councillors gathered at an AGM, dubbed as the Local Councils Association of Sierra Leone (LoASL). This year’s AGM marked the end of an era for Joseph Munda Bindi, out gone president of the association who has worked for over two decades in the Bo District Council. The occasion was chaired by the former mayor of Bo City Council, Dr. Wusu Sannoh and graced by the chairman parliamentary oversight committee on local councils, relevant stakeholders and minister of local government, Tamba Lamina in his opening statement, Dr. Wusu Sannoh recalled how LoASL started with only 19 councils and then they deliberated on the nomenclature of the association. ‘ I urge all council heads to be in good rapport with the local government minister so that work can be easy.’ He recognized that progress has been made although more needs to be done.
The out gone president, Joseph Munda Bindi reminded the gathering that the work has ‘not been easy’ as the association is not financially strong and independent. ‘ I can proudly boast that in my tenure as president, I have ensured that mayors and chairpersons get monthly salary not sitting fees.’ And urged whoever takes over from him to ‘work with international partners.’ The chairman parliamentary oversight committee on local councils said that they have ‘improved policy and act since 2022 .’ And therefore called on councils ‘ to take advantage of what parliament can do for them.’ Via video link the secretary general of Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Lucy Slark emphasized on the theme of ‘ strengthening local governments for effective climate action in building a resilient Sierra Leone.’ And also reiterated that local government ‘ is a critical partner in sustainable development.’
In his keynote address, the minister of local government, Tamba Lamina thanked the councils for their ‘ unity.’ He cautioned CAs to ‘ be in good working relationship with their respective mayors and chairpersons.’ And pledged that the councils are going to be grounds for career development path. Minister Lamina urged the association to ‘ work towards financial independence and that councils should work hard to raise their own revenue. The session later went into deliberation on the new draft constitution which was prepared by lawyer Floyd Davies. It was carefully read out but was not adopted due to certain clauses that need to be thrashed out. So, its adoption was postponed. Elections were conducted which saw Sahr A. K. Lamin of Kailahun District Council go unopposed and duly elected as the new president of LoCASL. He was inaugurated with his new executive and plans ‘ take it up from where Joseph Munda Bindi left it.’
