By Mohamed Fofanah.
Falaba and Karene District Councils yesterday signed a 1,050,000 Euros grant each with the European Union as part of the EU’s 25 million Euros support to Civil Society and local authorities for development in Sierra Leone.
The grant is expected to support the Councils on facilities such as the rehabilitation of feeder roads and water supply in the districts, and also improve on farming and livestock management, critical for farmers in these predominantly farming districts, the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone announced at the signing ceremony on Wednesday.
Gerald Hatler told a Technical Committee meeting held at the Golden Tulip (Essential Kimbima) Hotel in Freetown that the European Union is a great supporter of decentralization as one of its core policies, adding that the best decision for the local population is taken when it is close to them (local population) to support the development of local policies.
Mr. Hatler added that this project will strengthen and improve service delivery for the people in Sierra Leone to enhance economic activity, which in turn will also support the income generation for local businesses.
Although the project will be implemented under a strict work-plan, Hatler emphasized a prudent use of funds for their intended purpose and not to divert them for a different purpose.
He said that the councils have to demonstrate that they are capable of using those funds by themselves, and that they have the technical and also financial capacity to manage funds and develop their own local development strategies and implement them and show to the central Government how development at a local level can work.
The Coordinator of the Decentralization Secretariat, Alex Bonapha on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone thanked the EU for their 25 million euros support for development at the sub-national level.
Alex Bonapha implored the local beneficiaries to expedite the implementation of the projects, reiterating that service related activities should be prioritized.
The District Council Chairman for Falaba District, Ibrahim Sorie Sesay noted that the grant capturing feeder roads and agriculture will capacitate the council to address some key challenges for a new district with a lot of development gaps. He assured prudent and transparent use of the grant.
