By Saidu Jalloh, D.S. Reporter
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, has stepped in to tackle the financial and administrative hurdles plaguing the Freetown City Council. These challenges have hampered the council’s ability to deliver essential services, particularly in sanitation, due to restricted access to operational funds.
Concerns regarding sanitation in Freetown have escalated, with reports indicating that waste management operations have significantly slowed as contractors and service providers await payment.
In response, Minister Lamina convened an emergency meeting on March 5, 2026, at the Ministry’s headquarters. The meeting gathered senior officials from local governance, fiscal administration, and decentralization to address the pressing issues.
Discussions revealed that the council’s financial challenges are linked to administrative complications stemming from the recent transfer of former Finance Officer Ismeila Bah to another local authority. This transition has created procedural bottlenecks, preventing the council from accessing necessary funds and fulfilling its operational commitments.
The funding freeze has directly affected sanitation services, leading to a marked decrease in waste collection as contractors responsible for essential services remain unpaid. Minister Lamina stressed the urgency of resolving the administrative deadlock to restore the council’s operational capabilities.
“This situation is not about individuals,” he emphasized, highlighting that the primary goal is to ensure the city functions effectively and that sanitation services are restored for all residents.
Key stakeholders at the meeting included the Chief Administrator of Freetown City Council, current and former Finance Officers, and representatives from the Local Government Service Commission. Officials from the Fiscal Decentralization Directorate and the Decentralization Secretariat, along with the Deputy Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, were also in attendance.
Participants highlighted the urgent need to unblock the council’s access to funding to enable payments to sanitation contractors, fuel suppliers, and other vital service providers essential for maintaining cleanliness in the city.
The Chief Administrator reported that several suppliers have gone unpaid for months, exacerbating the slowdown in waste collection and other municipal services.
To expedite a resolution, Minister Lamina directed council officials to prepare a detailed report outlining all outstanding financial commitments, including payments owed to contractors, sanitation workers, and utility providers. This report will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the necessary administrative processes for the council to regain access to its funds.
The meeting concluded with consensus on the urgent need for action to stabilize the council’s operations and reinstate effective sanitation services throughout Freetown. Minister Lamina reassured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to resolving the issue swiftly, enabling the council to resume its critical operations.
For further inquiries, please contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
