FREETOWN, OCT. 16th (SALONE TIMES) –
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, has outlined government’s plans to establish new localities and councils across Sierra Leone as part of efforts to improve local governance, strengthen administration and promote development.
Speaking at the weekly press conference organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Miatta Civic Centre in Brookfields, Freetown, Minister Lamina said the ministry was taking the restructuring of local government seriously, with the process gaining momentum in 2025 following proposals presented to Cabinet.
He explained that the ministry was responsible for developing local government policies and supporting local councils and chiefdom councils in carrying out their functions. According to him, the proposed changes are intended to make councils more efficient and responsive to the needs of their communities.
Mr Lamina said the creation of new localities involves identifying their boundaries, composition and the people living within them. He noted that presidential approval alone was not sufficient to bring the changes into effect, as the relevant statutory instruments must also be gazetted.
On the proposed changes in the southern and eastern parts of the country, the minister mentioned areas around Bandajuma and Pujehun, as well as localities in Bo, Kailahun and Kenema districts. He listed places including Barry, Kabonden, Kapindi, Futa, Sorobema and Sowa in the discussions relating to the proposed administrative arrangements.
He also referred to proposed changes involving chiefdoms and localities in Kailahun and Kenema districts, including Peje West, Peje Bongay, Yahweh, Pegweha, Malagu and Lower Bambara. He explained that the restructuring was intended to improve administration and address local governance challenges.
The minister said the Western Area was among the places where government had proposed significant changes to the local government structure.
He explained that the Western Area Urban District, which is currently served by the Freetown City Council, is expected to have two city councils under the proposed arrangements: Freetown City Council and Freetown West City Council.
Mr Lamina also announced plans to divide the Western Area Rural District, commonly associated with Ward C, into three rural council areas: Waterloo Rural Council, Mountain Rural Council and York Rural Council.
He said the decision followed an assessment of the district’s geographical size, population and topography, as well as the way local councils function.
According to the minister, before 2004, the area had four localities, including York, Waterloo, Mountain and Koya. However, following the civil war, the localities were consolidated into one administrative area to address governance and administrative challenges.
He said government had since reviewed the arrangement and concluded that dividing the district into three councils would improve administration and service delivery.
Mr Lamina further disclosed that government was proposing the establishment of Lungi City Council, covering an area associated with the Kafu Bullom Chiefdom.
He said Lungi’s strategic importance as the gateway to Sierra Leone made it necessary for government to position the area to attract more investment and support development.
The minister also outlined proposed changes in Port Loko District, which he said would include Port Loko District Council, Port Loko City Council and Lungi City Council under the new administrative arrangements.
The minister also spoke about communities seeking separate administrative leadership after experiencing growth and development.
He explained that some communities had previously been amalgamated with others, but disagreements over leadership and traditional administration had created challenges. Government was therefore considering de-amalgamation in some areas to address these concerns.
Mr Lamina cited the proposed creation of Pedowa locality in Bombali District, in connection with issues surrounding the Mbriwa Chiefdom.
He said the ministry had encountered difficulties in areas with diverse ethnic groups, particularly where disagreements over traditional leadership had affected stability. He referred to a previous paramount chief who had been dethroned and the subsequent challenges in establishing lasting stability.
The minister noted that the chiefdom comprises nine sections, including Mbriwa and Mbriwaly Band, and said the geographical and administrative circumstances had contributed to the need to review the existing arrangements.
He said the broader restructuring exercise was intended to address longstanding administrative difficulties, improve local representation and ensure that communities were governed in ways that reflected their needs and circumstances.
The proposed changes form part of government’s wider efforts to strengthen local government institutions and improve the delivery of public services across the country. The relevant statutory instruments and gazetting processes will be important in bringing the proposed arrangements into effect.
