By Gibao Brima

Since independence to date, that is, for over sixty three years gone by now, our country called Sierra Leone cannot boost of having any sustainable developments. Developments such as energy supply, food sufficiency, good roads network, sound health care systems, quality education, proper  housing facilities and among others, all these mentioned above, and social amenities have not been achieved over the decades.

However, we fail to diagnose and come up with preferable ideas as to what has gone wrong or where is or are the missing links in our development drive.

Looking at great nations like America, Britain, France, Nigeria to name but a  few, one can  see that there is decentralization in their governance structure.

Their local Councils do play a great role contributing to local development through by devolving functions which are giving to sitting mayors.

Looking at Sierra Leone’s situation, the opposite exists.

The local Councils could play a significant role, contributing to the development of their districts nationwide.

All what government needs to do is to decentralize activities to the various councils in  the country.

All councils should bear the responsibility to mobilize resources for their districts’ development while the central government should be monitoring projects undertaken by these various Councils, and should also be helping these various Councils with grants since not all districts are equal in terms of resources base to run their  development activities.

Through decentralization to the Councils it can help in creating jobs  for the youths, help to reduce population explosion in nations capital.

Late President Kabba’s vision in re-opening the local Councils haven closed was a step in the right direction.

It will still be a good initiative if only subsequent presidents do follow the decentralization drive by former president Kabba.