ADDRESS BY

GERALD HATLER, HEAD OF COOPERATION

ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMISSIONING OF THE EU FUNDED INVESTMENTS IN BOMBALI DISTRICT

Thursday 14^th March 2024

Salutations!

I am delighted to be here with you today at this momentous occasion.

I am honoured to be sharing this platform with devoted Ministers, Members of Parliament, and representatives from civil society organisations who are dedicated to ensuring that every village contributes to the country's development goal. The EU is proud to contribute to this narrative.

Well done to the District Council for organising this event! 

Today marks an important day for the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone, as we are thrilled to present the outcomes of our support to the people of Bombali District and its surrounding areas.

For numerous years, the European Union has strongly advocated for devolution processes, considering them crucial for improving accountability and service delivery.

Nevertheless, the EU recognises the challenges that Local Councils face in carrying out their duties. These factors entail a level of decentralisation that can be enhanced; continuous capacity challenges in administrations; and, insufficient and occasionally unreliable resources to deliver adequate services.

We are thrilled to have worked together to improve decentralisation in the country through the 11th EDF Programme titled Support to Civil Society and Local Authorities for Local Development in Sierra Leone.

It is clear that in Sierra Leone, the central government alone cannot address the issues related to achieving good governance but need decentralisation and a focus on sustainable development goals.

We believe that governing in close proximity to local communities is crucial for achieving results at the local level.

For local development, the EU supports subsidiarity and decentralisation, empowers local authorities and civil society, and promotes local government-non-governmental actor cooperation.

EU investments have helped local economic growth, especially for district farmers, in keeping with the government's 'FEED SALONE' goal.

I am glad to inform that this EU-supported initiative has enabled Bombali district council deliver public services to rural areas, resulting in meaningful rural development benefits.

Furthermore, by building an ultra- modern Student Hostel, Cattle Paddock, providing a Combine Harvester and implementing the cadastral system will provide valuable services to the people of Bombali while mobilizing revenues that can support the District Council in implementing its mandate and ensuring local development. The student hostels aim to offer a long-term solution to the accommodation challenges faced by students at the UNIMAK Yoni campus, especially those who reside far from the campus. This will significantly decrease the likelihood of road traffic accidents, given that many students rely on commercial motorbikes for transportation. It will enhance their productivity since they reside on campus, eliminating the need for commuting. 

The cattle paddock and combine harvesters will help ensure food security and bring in revenue for the council. Bombali is renowned for its expansive, fertile savannah plains, ideal for agriculture and livestock rearing.

At the same time, the project focuses on developing human potential, enhancing skills in the community, and fostering overall progress. These impactful projects have made a lasting impression on service delivery, especially in crucial areas like agriculture and education, offering hope for a better future in the region.

By building markets, culverts and bridges, it promotes economic expansion and generates employment possibilities for a range of community residents. The bridges and culverts constructed on feeder roads have effectively linked communities to markets and various services such as education, health care, and agriculture extension. I think this has greatly improved agricultural productivity, boosted business growth, and ultimately increased revenue to improve service delivery. Farmers are now motivated to transport their produce to markets allowing traders to buy produce directly from the farms, leading to increased productivity and promoting commercial farming.

According to the government's 'BIG 5' priorities, our funded programme has positively impacted Bombali District and Salone's economic growth and social cohesion.

We are glad that private operators will manage the investments, boosting public-private partnerships, especially locally.

Local governments must work with private partners and civil society organisations to address community needs and goals for economic growth. This concept underpins the EU's internal functioning and development cooperation policy.

Even though the central government promotes decentralisation, local councils' budgets have reduced over the years as earlier stated by the EU Ambassador in Kenema.

Councils need timely and sufficient central government funding to deliver services and stay afloat.

Today's EU-funded initiatives should be used and maintained to improve lives.

This I believe will improve economic, financial, organisational, and communal development.

Thank you all!