The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Amb. Tamba Lamina has announced to the President and the general public that Hamilton Community has within a year raised a total sum of 1.5 billion Leones out of proceeds from sand mining and also called on other communities to emulate the same method used by the said community.

Minister Lamina made this announcement at State House in the maiden interaction meeting between President Bio and the 121 Village Headmen in the Western Region of Sierra Leone organized by the Office of the President.

“Your Excellency, Sir, my Ministry in collaboration with other Ministries and stakeholders designed a method that would put proceeds collected from sand mining in Hamilton Community into control and I am happy to announce that the community has raised up to 1.5 billion Leones after a year of using the method that we designed. The amount is going to be used for developmental activities within the community and their Local Council (Western Area Rural District Council),” he revealed while urging other communities to emulate similar methods in their revenue mobilization.

Minister Lamina further disclosed that the term limit of office for Village Headmen is three years, which clearly implied that   the current 121 Village Headmen have come to the end of their terms in office and that he had engaged the National Electoral Commission on the need to conduct their elections.

He ended by commending the Village Headmen for their efforts in maintaining peace and stability in their respective communities and urging them to continue to support Government’s policies and cascade them to their people.

The engagement saw different statements from the Village Headmen. They were thankful for the opportunity to mingle with President Bio, but also tabled their concerns which were tailored around their recognition, salary, road infrastructure in their communities, electricity, tap water, the need for President Bio to visit their communities, amongst others.

In his response, President Bio stated that the lack of representation has been the major reason to most of their challenges, which was why he appointed the Western Region Minister, that serves as an intermediary between him and the Headmen. 

He continued that he had noted their concerns and that he promised to take a careful look into all of them. Adding that his plans for the Waterloo Community is  to provide them with facilities that would match the size of the area ranging from branches of major colleges, hospitals, schools, road infrastructure, electricity, amongst others. 

He later presented certificates of recognition to all of them and promised to be in constant touch with them.