Transparency Committee ends visit to 19 local councils
Freetown, June (SLENA) – The Parliamentary Committee on Transparency Accountability which is chaired by the majority chief whip in parliament, Hon. Claude D M Kamanda (in photo), has just ended 14 days visit to all 19 councils across the country.
The purpose of the visit was to ensure that all the nineteen councils comply with section 107 of the Local Government Act of 2004 which borders around transparency and accountability to promote development, enhance democracy and good governance.
In an interview with SLENA, the Chairman of the Committee said his committee visited all the districts to assesses the state of compliance of the Local Government Act with regards to section 107 which makes it mandatory for the erection of notice boards in conspicuous places within council’s premises and wards for the display of relevant information relating to development plans, annual income and expenditures, monthly financial statements , asset inventory, bye-laws and notices relating to taxes, rates and fees for at list 21 days for public education and understanding.
He said the committee made it clear that section 20 of the LGA stipulates that councils are the highest political authority responsible for the overall development of their various localities, stressing that during public hearing, councilors should consult the electorate to get their views and opinions before presenting such views to council, according to section of the Act.
He thanked the Public Financial Management within the Ministry Finance and Economic Development for providing the fund for his committee to carry out its oversight functions within the 19 local councils.
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alhassan Kamara of constituency 96 said the committee is not witch hunting the councils or administrators but to help them comply with section 107 of the Act 2004.
According to Hon. Claude D M Kamanda alias ‘Small Pepper’ membership of the committee comprises of sixteen (16) MPs. Nine of these are from the ruling including APC party, six from the opposition SLPP and one paramount chief representative.
SB/HOP/SLENA
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