Major Takeaways
By Zacharia Jalloh
Introduction
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education last week continued its nationwide Civic Day Series in Falaba District, bringing government closer to the people. The engagement provided a platform for key government officials and local authorities to update residents on national developments and address local concerns. The Deputy Minister of Defence, Rtd Colonel Brima Muana Massaquoi, who was among top government officials at hand to engage the public, reported that the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has recently been expanding beyond their traditional role of providing security to actively taking part in national development strides such as agriculture, construction, engineering etc.
Deputy Minister Highlights Importance of Civic Engagement
The Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh, emphasized the critical role of civic engagement in promoting peace and national development. He described the Civic Day Series as a platform for dialogue between government and citizens.
Reflecting on the civil war that began 35 years ago, he emphasized the devastating impact it had on the nation and stressed the importance of educating the younger generation about Sierra Leone’s history. He noted that such engagements help instill civic responsibility and national consciousness among citizens.
Falaba District Council Highlights Development Challenges
The Chairman of the Falaba District Council, Ibrahim Sorie Sesay, outlined the district’s challenges in mobilizing sufficient local revenue for development. He noted that local tax collection alone is inadequate to meet development needs.
Despite these challenges, he disclosed that through collaboration with the Road Maintenance Fund and development partners, the council has successfully constructed boreholes, culverts, and bridges across the district.
Government Pushes Public Sector Reforms
The Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Amara Kallon, presented government’s public sector reform agenda. He stated that reforms are aimed at building a modern, efficient, and effective public service.
He revealed that Management and Functional Reviews have been conducted for 38 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC.
Minister Kallon further announced plans to fully digitize recruitment and attendance systems within the next year through the introduction of the Sierra Leone Digital Human Resource Hub, replacing manual processes.
Government Commends Falaba for Maintaining Peace
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Muana Brima Massaquoi, conveyed appreciation on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio to the people of Falaba for their patriotism in maintaining peace amid the border dispute with Guinea.
He commended the District and Chiefdom Security Committees, as well as Paramount Chiefs, for their proactive role in de-escalating tensions. Special recognition was given to Captain Francis Conteh and his team for their professionalism in avoiding confrontation.
RSLAF Expands Role into National Development
The Deputy Minister further disclosed that the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is expanding its role beyond traditional security duties to include national development initiatives.
He highlighted ongoing rice cultivation projects in Yoni, Rombeh, and Kholifa Mabang (Mile 91), with plans to cultivate 9,500 acres. The initiative aims to reduce government spending on rice imports for the military.
He added that RSLAF is also investing in education, gender empowerment, youth development, and infrastructure, while maintaining its core security responsibilities.
Mano River Union to Be Revived
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, David Fortune, informed residents about outcomes from a tripartite meeting involving Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
He announced that the three countries have agreed to revive the Mano River Union (MRU) to address border-related issues. A Ministerial Council meeting is expected within a month to examine technical matters, followed by a summit of the Heads of State to implement recommendations.
Mr. Fortune also disclosed that Falaba District is currently the safest and most peaceful district in the country, according to crime statistics, urging residents to sustain the peace.
Progress Recorded in Road Infrastructure and Mining Sector
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, reported significant progress on the Kabala–Falaba road construction project and assured residents of government’s commitment to extending the road to Mongor.
On the mining sector, he highlighted reforms under the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2022, which increased Community Development Funds from 000.1% to 1% of companies’ annual gross exports. He also noted that surface rents are now paid directly to landowning families.
He disclosed that, for the first time, two large-scale gold mining companies are operational in the country and encouraged residents to report illegal mining activities to ensure communities benefit from royalties and development funds.
Education Sector Records Significant Gains
The Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, announced a partnership with Emerging World Wide to provide schools with computer tablets, supported by a $120 million investment. Falaba District is expected to benefit from the initiative.
He further disclosed that seven schools in the district have successfully completed their Continuous Assessment Scores (CAS), ensuring that no student will miss public examinations.
Enrolment figures showed 711 boys and 851 girls registered. Examination infrastructure has also expanded significantly, with NPSE centers increasing from three in 2018 to 23, alongside 13 BECE centers and five WASSCE centers.
2026 Census Preparations Underway
The Communications Director at Statistics Sierra Leone, Samuel Ansumana, announced that the National Population and Housing Census will be conducted in December 2026.
He highlighted ongoing cartographic mapping nationwide, noting that eight chiefdoms in Falaba have already been mapped, with more to follow. He explained that individuals will be counted based on where they spend census night, 1st December 2026.
He emphasized that census data is critical for national planning, decision-making, and equitable distribution of resources.
Credit – Communication Unit – Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 30th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
