13 April, 2026 The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Amb.Tamba Lamina, has expressed deep disappointment over the ongoing boycott by political heads in local councils, describing the move as a deliberate ploy to undermine effective local governance in Sierra Leone.
Speaking on African Young Voices Television (AYV), the Minister emphasized that the establishment of local government structures is meant to devolve power and bring governance closer to the people. He stressed that mayors, chairpersons, and councillors serve as managers of councils which are the highest local authorities and their refusal to perform their duties directly affects service delivery and development.
Amb. Lamina noted that the boycott, which has lasted for weeks in some councils, raises serious concerns about the commitment of elected officials to their responsibilities. He pointed out that councils play a critical role in national development and that abandoning their functions reflects a lack of understanding of their mandate.
Responding to allegations by the Mayor of the Freetown City Council that the council has not received government funding, the Minister dismissed the claims as false and misleading. He maintained that all councils continue to receive allocations despite economic challenges in recent years, while also noting that councils have the legal authority to generate their own revenue to support operations.
He explained that delays in disbursement are influenced by factors such as global economic conditions, shifting government priorities, and adjustments from donor partners.
On relations with the Freetown City Council, Lamina stated that the ministry is constitutionally mandated to supervise all councils but has encountered resistance in some instances. He cited disputes over staff transfers, an administrative responsibility of the ministry as a key issue, accusing the council of failing to comply with established procedures. He stressed that governance matters should be resolved through institutional dialogue rather than public confrontation.
The Minister also raised concerns about what he described as unacceptable practices, including the rejection of certain staff transfers based on ethnic considerations.
Referencing the Local Government Act 2022, Lamina explained that while elected officials are responsible for running councils, Chief Administrators are empowered to take over operations in their absence. He assured the public that councils remain functional despite the boycott.
He further disclosed that the government has advised the Ministry of Finance to suspend salaries and benefits of those boycotting their duties, emphasizing that public funds must be tied to active service. He also criticized reported attempts by some officials to write to development partners to halt projects, describing such actions as unpatriotic and detrimental to local communities.
On the creation of new districts and localities, the Minister said the process has involved consultations and the submission of reports for presidential consideration. He noted that such initiatives are intended to improve governance and extend services to underserved areas, citing Falaba District as an example.
He concluded by appealing to all boycotting officials to return to work, urging them to prioritize the needs of the people and to resolve grievances through appropriate channels without disrupting governance and service delivery.
For more details:
Frederick V. Kanneh
Senior Information Officer
MLGCA
