The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ambassador Tamba Lamina, has issued a directive for the immediate implementation of long-delayed staff transfers across the country’s local councils, declaring an end to a period of stagnation he described as a major obstacle to effective governance and service delivery.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting in Freetown that included representatives from the Local Government Service Commission, the Local Councils Association of Sierra Leone (LoCASL), and senior government officials. Minister Lamina firmly stated that the postings, announced three months ago, must now take effect, emphasizing that the Local Government Service Commission is the sole body legally mandated to move staff between councils. “Any changes to that decision will undermine the integrity of the institution,” he asserted.
The Minister explained that the transfers were necessitated by investigations and recommendations following a complaint from the Kailahun District Council, which led to suspensions and administrative disruptions. He noted that broken relationships prevented the reinstatement of some affected staff to their former councils, requiring their reassignment to other districts. While acknowledging dissatisfaction from some council heads, Minister Lamina stressed that the decision was made in line with established guidelines and a careful case-by-case review. He underscored that systems must be built for long-term sustainability rather than around individuals, and that proper induction of new staff would be crucial for continuity.
Dr. Emmanuel A.R. Gaima, Principal Executive Adviser to the President on Public Service, called for respect for institutional structures and the rule of law. He cautioned the Local Government Service Commission to improve its operational effectiveness, stating, “If the commission were fully functioning as expected, these issues would not be arising.”
In his intervention, Sahr Ahmed Laikonjor Lamin, President of LoCASL and Chairman of the Kailahun District Council, clarified that the association is not opposed to transfers in principle but objects to what he termed “indiscriminate postings” that disrupt local operations and revenue mobilization. He called for the ministry to consult with councils before implementing such decisions, a sentiment echoed by other mayors and district chairmen who cited strained relationships with administrative staff.
In closing, Minister Lamina assured council leaders that the Ministry would review their cases individually but urged their cooperation, stating the transfers are essential to restoring functionality and improving service delivery nationwide.
