Stakeholders in Koinadugu district are now very eager to make sure post election issues are quickly addressed for peace and cohesion which will create the atmosphere for joint revenue collection
In his welcome address on Saturday,August 18,2018 at a one day dialogue session in Kabala,organized by the Inclusive District Committee in collaboration with the National Framework for Inclusive Governance and Local Development,host Paramount Chief of Wara Wara Yagala,Kondowullay Gbawuru Mansaray 111,said the dialogue was timely as there are lots of issues to be addressed in the post election era
“We were expecting such meeting as elections are now over and all of us should work together for inclusive governance”Chief Mansaray emphasized.He said it has been very difficult for traditional leaders to work with District Council to collect revenue because they were not working together”
The new chairman of Koinadugu District Council,Alex Sorie Conteh referred to the dialogue as a blessing in disguise,adding that if they are not united it will be very difficult for communities to grow
“The primary objective of this meeting is to promote cohesion,peace and unity and a robust revenue mobilization”he said,adding the peace that will attract development to our district is solely our responsibility.Our development should be shouldered by us and blamed on us if we fail to our people
Executive Director,Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone,John Caulker said the whole idea of the dialogue is to create space for stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues affecting the district
Caulker said” There are lots of potentials in the district but if activities remain uncoordinated you will not realise anything,therefore part of the meeting will give you an opportunity on how to resolve issues and work towards joint revenue mobilization
He disclosed that President Bio,in his commitment to national cohesion promised in Parliament,the setting up of an Independent National Peace and Cohesion commission which will be charged with the responsibility of restoring peace and calm in communities especially those that were affected during the election era.He mentioned UNDP’s project which aimed at promoting peace in then hot spot election conflict areas within the next three months.
Paramount Chief of Kalian chiefdom,Foday Umaru Jalloh called for election related/land dispute issues to be resolved
District Officer,Koinadugu,Ajina Mansaray in his remarks lamented over political atmosphere in the district.He said there are lots of issues including tribe supremacy,boundary and land which need to be addressed.
At the end of the dialogue,it was resolved to restructure the Inclusive Committee to make it more effective which was done last week
Meanwhile another district stakeholders dialogue will be held convened on joint revenue mobilization before the end of the week