16 April 2026 The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Amb. Tamba Lamina, has assured the public that government’s redistricting process is actively underway, with proposals being developed and stakeholder engagements ongoing across the country.
Speaking during an interview on Truth Media FM, the Minister explained that communities have so far responded positively to the initiative. He dismissed recent tensions at the Freetown City Council, describing the incident as politically motivated rather than a reflection of public opposition.
According to him, the redistricting exercise is not a new policy but a continuation of a process initiated by the previous administration. He emphasized that the creation of new districts and localities would bring significant development benefits to affected communities. On concerns about regional impact, the Minister clarified that the process is national in scope and not limited to any particular region, while timelines remain subject to the decision of the President.
Addressing the ongoing boycott by All People’s Congress (APC) political heads in local councils, Amb. Lamina maintained that council operations have not come to a halt. He acknowledged certain administrative gaps due to the structure of the Local Government Act, which places mayors and councillors at the center of council management, but insisted that the Ministry has taken steps to ensure continuity of services.
He criticized the boycott as unnecessary, noting that elected officials have a duty to serve the people regardless of political disagreements. He reiterated his earlier position that local councils should ideally operate on apolitical lines, though this has been met with resistance from some quarters.
On concerns that the boycott could affect donor-funded projects, particularly those supported by the World Bank, the Minister expressed confidence that such projects would continue in the interest of the people. He stressed that these initiatives are designed to benefit communities, not political actors.
The Minister also revealed that he is awaiting a briefing from the Vice President following recent engagements with the boycotting officials. In the meantime, he said he is prepared to take full responsibility for council operations in their absence.
Touching on governance and revenue mobilization, Lamina disclosed that each council has a team of core staff led by Chief Administrators, supported by structures put in place by the Ministry to enhance efficiency. He added that while access to funds had previously been a challenge, that issue has now been resolved.
On the situation at the Freetown City Council, where APC councillors are in the majority, Lamina pointed out that SLPP councillors cannot suspend governance simply because others have chosen to boycott. He emphasized that systems are in place to ensure councils continue functioning.
The Minister also addressed controversies surrounding the use of official vehicles, stating that any public official who refuses to work should, as a matter of integrity, refrain from using government resources. He dismissed claims by the Mayor regarding lack of drivers as false, noting that councils have designated drivers in place.
Regarding recent staff transfers, Minister Lamina clarified that such decisions fall under the mandate of the Local Government Service Commission. He explained that the transfer of a finance officer who had served over five years was in line with policy, and criticized resistance to the move. He warned against building institutions around individuals, stressing that systems must remain functional regardless of personnel changes.
He further rejected allegations of integrity issues against transferred staff, describing them as unfounded. The Minister accused the Mayor of frequently opposing institutional decisions and, in some cases, making appointments or objections along ethnic lines claims he said are backed by evidence.
Reflecting on past engagements, Lamina cited an instance where planned consultations on the creation of new localities were disrupted by protests allegedly mobilized by the Mayor. He maintained that his actions have consistently been guided by law and institutional mandate, not personal or political considerations.
On the broader decentralization agenda, the Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to devolving more functions to local councils. He noted that progress is being made, although challenges remain, particularly around the unbundling of responsibilities.
Finally, Lamina disclosed that the Ministry is considering measures against officials participating in the boycott, including the possible suspension of salaries and allowances.
He concluded by reiterating that governance must continue uninterrupted, stressing that councils cannot afford to wait indefinitely for elected officials to return to duty.
For more details:
Frederick V. Kanneh
Senior Information Officer
MLGCA
