A National Road Map in the Ministry of Local Government is guiding the review and updating of the National Decentralisation, 2010 and the Local Government Act, 2004.
The review of these two documents (policy and legislation) will ensure that the local government and decentralisation reform is energised and given traction to foster development dividends for Sierra Leone.
Decentralisation is about devolving key functions of central government to local councils so that services could be brought to the door steps of communities across the country.
Over the years, central government has devolved agriculture, education and health functions to local councils to ensure easy access of government services to the local people.
However, more functions of a number of ministries are set to be devolved to councils to complete the decentralisation policy in Sierra Leone.
Apart from activating decentralisation policy in the Ministry of Local Government, a national framework document for the revitalisation of the aborted constitutional review process in Sierra Leone has been drawn up.
The framework, according to the ministry, will guide the planning and re-launch of the review process to facilitate the development of a new constitution and that work towards that direction has commenced.
A similar action is also being implemented by bilateral and multilateral development partners and non-state actors by through the development of a governance sector coordination plan.
A document laid hands on by Nightwatch indicates that an a steering committee has been put in place to fast track the coordination as well as to overcome the challenges.
“A National Governance Steering Committee (NGSC) framework has been developed to address challenges associated with governance reform coordination encountered by various ministries, departments and agencies of government,” the Ministry document reads in part.
In fulfilment of commitment to rationalise political and democratic institutions, a National Institutional Review Guide is in force to facilitate engagements with critical national political governance political institutions.
The following governance institutions: National Commission for Democracy, Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, Independent Media commission, Office of the Chief Justice, National Electoral Commission, Political Parties Registration Commission, among others, have been covered.
The NGSC has also provided support to government by leading and facilitating the strategic plan and institutional strengthening review of the Right to Access Information Commission; supporting Local Government Ministry with the facilitation of the review of the decentralisation policy and the Local Government Act.
The committee also supported the Ministry of Finance with a National Local Council revenue mobilisation workshop and framework.
It provided technical review of the consultant’s report on the wages and salaries commission led by the Public Sector Reform Unit in the Office of the President.