By Politico staff writer
The Falaba District Council has received €1,050,000 approximately 13 billion Leone's grant from the European Union through the Government of Sierra Leone to support COVID-19 response, infrastructure, agriculture, and administration (tax and revenue) in Falaba District.
The grant is part of the 11th European Development Fund program to empower District Councils and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to improve the environment for effective decentralization and local governance.
In his welcome address at the launch of the project, the Chairman of Falaba District Council, Ibrahim Sorie Sesay, said the grant would ensure the council tackle some of its challenges as a new district. He noted that the 30-month project would unleash both the socio-economic potential and participation opportunities for citizens in the district.
Sorie expressed appreciation to the Government of President Julius Maada Bio and the European Union for identifying and supporting Falaba District’s development priorities.
In his statement, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai reiterated his call for effective coordination, ownership, participation, and monitoring in development processes, adding that the stakeholders and leaders of Falaba District must embed those principles in the implementation of the project.
He said the launch of the project was an important step towards achieving the development goals set out by the government in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019-2023), which was founded on a strong political commitment to deliver development results that would improve the welfare of Sierra Leoneans.
The Minister ended by calling on the people and authorities of Falaba District to support the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census which would be helpful to the government, international agencies, and Falaba District Council to support local planning and economic development for Falaba District.
Gerald Hatler, the Head of Cooperation, European Union, in his brief statement said that the aim of the funding was to support effective decentralisation and efficient service delivery to citizens, especially in remote areas.
He said that the project would contribute to economic growth and social cohesion for the benefit of Sierra Leone. He also acknowledged the President’s strategy and long-term vision in placing decentralisation at the core of the government’s New Direction.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Amb Tamba Lamina commended the government for the level of support they have given to local councils, stating that it was a manifestation of President Bio’s commitment to the decentralisation process in the country.
He stated that the launch was a result of the strong advocacy to the EU to consider the two new districts of Karene and Falaba, adding that the government appreciates the EU for their support to these districts.
In July 2020, President Bio unveiled the five-year EU grant which targets District Councils and respective Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Pujehun, Kenema, Bombali, and Kambia districts.
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