By: Amie Choi
The Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs brought together Governors of the five regions, Chiefs and Alkalolu for a day-long meeting at the ministry to discuss cross cutting issues including those related to the mandate and functions of the Ministry and its decentralised offices.
During the discussions, Hon. Ousman Sowe outlined strategies to strengthen institutions within the purview of his Ministry as well as his desire to reposition the Ministry to ensure consolidated performance in the execution of its mandate.
He further dilated on the potential of the Ministry to generate domestic revenues to complement the consolidated fund through collaborative strategies, internal reforms and policy adjustments.
Minister Sowe emphasised the need for equitable and judicious management of the land resources of the country to cater for generations to come. To this end, he said the Ministry will review the processes leading to the allocation of industrial plots of land at Kamalo to ensure fairness, transparency and due process.
The Permanent Secretary Mrs Saffie Sankareh Farage also expressed determination to support and implement the policy decisions of the Ministry and to support the Minister’s reform agenda.
The Minister of Finance Seedy Keita pledged to collaborate with the Ministry to identify and enhance its internal revenue sources to consolidate the overall collectability of government revenue.
The Governors and Chiefs also took turns to congratulate the new Minister on his appointment, while highlighting challenges faced by their different offices in the execution of their daily functions. They expressed readiness to surmount them with the assistance and guidance of the Ministry.
The meeting was also attended by the Director of Governance David Gomez; Executive Director of NGO Affairs Ebrima Jarbo and other senior officials of the Ministry.