, the Bo District Council Chairman was amongst key stakeholders that hosted the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Josephine Gauld at the Provincial Secretary’s Office on Tikonko Road, Bo City.
The Commissioner and team was warmly received in Bo District as a show of gratitude for her official visit to the Southern Province. A brief meeting was held with stakeholders and staff members, during which fruitful discussions were had on several issues that concern the overall welfare of citizens, good governance, development, security and growth of the district.
The District Council Chairman, Victor Korseh Hindowa expressed profound delight for the long standing friendship both nations have enjoyed. He maintained that Great Britain has been of great assistance to Sierra Leone in providing support in various sectors; chiefly health care, education and many more.
The Chairman justifiably explained the need for more support to the Bo District Council in a bid to strengthen its own source revenue, thereby f
ostering efficient service delivery and the need to reduce over reliance on donor partners.
Primary constraints highlighted were on agriculture, education, road network and health sectors. Youth unemployment also formed part of the discussions. As the need for their empowerment with skill programs was mostly concerned.
Chairman Hindowa outlined road network as a major set back to services delivered by the Council, citing the need to link more areas to essential services like schools, markets, health facilities and many more.
He underscored the need for staff capacity building programs so as to maximally improve on their performance.
In her statement, the Chief Administrator, Vivian Sally Senesie noted that Central Government’s support has been one of the sustained means that keeps the Council running.
The Chief Administrator assertedly advanced her reasons to strengthen the revenue drive at the local level and the need for more donor support. She requested for the twinning of councils in Great Britain, s
o as to expand the capacity of staff members on decentralization and governance issues.
CA Vivian stressed the need for the provision of factories for youths to be productively engaged so as to divert their minds from addictive substances and criminal acts.
Local Councils she said must be involved in investment programs in order to get a direct source of revenue so they become self reliant.
On Agriculture, the Development and Planning Officer for the Bo District Council, Elfrida Bockarie noted that skills, farm machinery, implements and inputs are major constraints that had restricted farmers from increasing production across the district.
Commissioner Josephine Gauld expressed satisfaction for the hospitality, and that she was hopeful for effective collaboration.
Gratifyingly, Commissioner Gauld in her exciting moment gained pleasure in presenting a gift to the Council Chairman and other stakeholders. In a similar gesture, an art of fine country fabric gowns with comely colours presented to the Commissi
oner and team as a souvenir for having visited Bo district, the hub for Country gown apparel.
A short visit to the Sierra Garri Bo factory climaxed the engagement. At the factory, the British High Commissioner was exceedingly impressed with the blind of top-notch technology and improvised machines in gari production, describing the venture as an indigenous industry meant to address local food problems.
This industry is being run by Sierraleonean professionals living with disabilities, who have realized their potentials and chose to break the limit beyond their perceived capabilities.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency
