By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Kailahun District Council, in partnership with the District Officer’s Office, convened a crucial meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at its Conference Hall in Kailahun Town. The meeting brought together the district’s paramount chiefs, aiming to strengthen collaboration on revenue mobilization between the local council and the chiefdom authorities.
District Officer Osman Samura, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of building a strong relationship between the council and the chiefs. Reflecting on previous disputes over revenue collection, Samura acknowledged that such conflicts are common across Sierra Leone but stressed the need for unity. “Working for the good of the residents in our localities, setting differences aside, is key,” he stated. Samura highlighted that while local councils operate within the districts, the chiefdom councils depend heavily on the former for effective functioning. “It is glaring that we all need each other to function well,” he pointed out, underscoring the necessity of collaboration, particularly in revenue mobilization. He further explained that the district council cannot work in isolation, as government allocations are often minimal and delayed, making partnership essential.
In early 2023, the Kailahun District Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the fourteen chiefdoms in the district, outlining terms for revenue collection and distribution. This MoU, approved by the Fiscal Decentralization Division (FDD), was intended to create a structured approach to revenue mobilization, specifying who collects revenue and how it should be shared among all stakeholders.
However, during the meeting, Paramount Chief Mohamed Sama Kailondo Banya IV voiced concerns on behalf of his fellow chiefs, stating that the council has not been effectively collaborating with them. He noted that the MoU has been largely nonfunctional, with several paramount chiefs reporting that they have not received their due percentages from the mobilized revenue—some missing payments for two quarters, others for three. “We are committed to working closely with the district council for our people’s sake, but we demand that the council tags us along at all times,” P.C. Banya IV asserted. The chiefs resolved that the MoU should be reviewed and fully enforced.
Responding to these concerns, Jonathan Amara Combe, Chief Administrator of the Kailahun District Council, acknowledged the challenges, revealing that several key revenue streams outlined in the MoU are not functioning. He cited market dues as a specific example, reminding attendees that it has been nearly three years since these dues were last collected due to traders’ resistance in 2021. “Our people desire development but they do not pay taxes, and we as stakeholders should preach to them the need for tax payment,” Combe urged. He lamented that the ongoing construction of the Kailahun main market has stalled due to a lack of funds, with residents unwilling to pay the taxes needed to complete the project.
Combe stressed that while the council is striving to mobilize revenue, the effort requires significant collaboration with district stakeholders, particularly the paramount chiefs. “We are cognizant of the fact that we should work in tandem with the Paramount chiefs, and we are committed to working with you all. Let us join forces and develop this district for ours and posterity’s sake,” he remarked. He also announced that percentages of the mobilized revenue have been deposited into the bank accounts of the respective Chiefdom Administrative Councils since last week. Additionally, a new Valuation Officer has been appointed to the Council, which is expected to address the issue of unassessed properties and enhance revenue collection.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution to review the MoU and for all parties to work together in sensitizing and mobilizing the necessary revenue. They also agreed to enact and enforce bylaws to ensure compliance and support the district’s development.
