Waterloo:Government officials and local authorities emphasized the importance of effective decentralisation and improved service delivery during the Civic Day Series at the Western Area Rural District Council Hall in Waterloo.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the event was organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education under the theme “Next Stop WARDC Council Hall Waterloo,” aiming to focus on local government restructuring, citizen participation, and bringing governance closer to the people.
Decentralisation Secretariat Director Alex Bhonapha highlighted that restructuring should prioritize people’s needs over geographical boundaries. He pointed out that population growth and expanding settlements are increasing pressure on local councils to provide essential services and public facilities. Bhonapha stressed that stakeholders must evaluate whether councils have the necessary resources and capacity and that restructuring should be driven by development priorities to ensure communities are well served.
WARDC Chairman Kasho Joseph Holland-Cole expressed concerns over the rapid population growth in Waterloo and surrounding areas. He emphasized the importance of accurate population data, as referenced in the 2021 Population and Housing Census, for classifying communities and creating new localities. Holland-Cole called for transparent criteria for determining communities’ administrative status, ensuring that population figures and residents’ needs guide such decisions. He also underscored the need for adequate attention, representation, and services for the growing district.
The discussions during the event highlighted the necessity of cooperation among government institutions, local councils, and communities to strengthen local governance. The Civic Day Series also promoted public participation and dialogue on community issues, with agreement among speakers that local governance must address population growth and community needs to ensure effective decentralisation and access to essential services.