By Sylvester Samai
Tamba Lamina, the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, has said the new Local Government Act has given right to tribal heads to have representation in the Freetown City Council (FCC).
He made this statement at a crowning ceremony of a newly elected Loko tribal head, Chief Kandeh Sorie. K. Kamara. The event was attended by staff from the Local Government Ministry and other dignitaries.
According to the minister, Parliament has approved the new Local Government Act, which has automatically given opportunity to the sixteen tribal heads to have a representation in the Local Council of Freetown.
In his speech, the minister said among the sixteen tribal heads in Freetown, one will be chosen to represent them in the council, thereby performing certain responsibilities ranging from being intermediaries between the council and the communities to ensuring that there is effective communication between the council and communities, and maintain peace among people in their various communities among others.
He said throughout the past five years the role of the tribal heads has predominantly been their engagement in sharing information with their people about government’s activities, therefore, he said such is also expected of them in the Local Council.
The minister continued that among other things, the newly elected and crowned chief must not forget to promote the interest of the Loko people, more especially their culture.
He also spoke about the reforms that have taken place in the Local Government Ministry, and how these reforms will push forward the work of local councils.
The minister said the Chieftaincy Act is very important and the relevance of reviewing it cannot be overemphasised. He said Caps 28 in the Act should be reviewed to enable everyone to understand his or her role and responsibilities and the structures and scopes of their powers within the local councils.
He told the new chief to endeavour not to forget the difficulties of his people and that he should not accept anyone to levy any exorbitant penalty on perpetrators of misdemeanors.
He said Parliament has given power to the chiefs to be represented in the FCC which will give them direct access to channel concerns from tribal members on issues bothering them in their communities.
The stages or processes of having a tribal head, according to the Director of Local Government Brima Kombay, normally starts with a visit from the ministry to the Council of Tribal Heads, which is the intermediate body between the ministry and the local people.
According to him, this is always followed by a consultation of the local people, after which a presentation of candidates is made and later on background checks or scrutiny is done to determine the most suitable person to serve in the position.
He said the ministry then looks at the candidates presented and thereafter, together with other authorities determine the most qualified individual for the position.
The director said the minister will have to look at the person chosen and send his and her name and other relevant information to the president for final approval.
He said if the president is pleased with the nomination the person will be given a symbol of authority and the mandate to head his or her tribe.
After all these presentations from the director and the minister, Chief Kandeh Kamara had few words to say about his plans for his people, as he was overwhelmed with happiness.
The chief said he will stick to the minister and director’s advice and work with his people to enhance growth and development not only for the Loko people, but for the country at large.
He concluded that he was elected to serve everyone in his tribe and therefore, he will work with anyone that is willing to work with him.