POLITICS
2008 Local Council Elections May Determine 2012
By
Nov 27, 2007, 23:35

A fundamental feature of every democratic state is the participation of the grass roots in the decision making process of the state. The idea of local government authority revolves around the belief that political power must be conformed on subordinate authorities and persons that help the central government in its day-to-day activities.

After several years of its non-existence, the people of Sierra Leone were bestowed with the task of electing their local government representatives in 2004.  To be more precise, Sierra Leoneans were left with the free hand to elect their Councilors and Mayors that were to be vested with the primary responsibility of bridging the political and administrative gag between the electorates and the Central Government and this has been effectively ongoing. We say thanks to the SLPP of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.

Apparently, even though the reintroduction of the local government elections in 2004, did not receive a very warm reception from members of the public at the time, things seems to be taking another dimension entirely.  It seemed as if, with the combination of various variables that has spontaneously increased the local government tempo among Sierra Leoneans and more than ever before, we are witnessing the institution of proactive and formidable strategies in the business of the local government authorities.  This is truly impressive and the robust approaches that have being advanced have served as an eye opener to all and sundry.

Perhaps, Sierra Leoneans need to be informed about the significance of this enviable local government authority and be left to evaluate the past performances of former Councilors and Mayors in line with what they were expected to have been done in their substantive positions.

Candidly, local government authorities have been set up to facilitate the ongoing decentralization process of political and administrative powers, and this subsequently takes us to other avenues.  The avenues suggested are firstly, the existence of the institutions would fully encourage the participation of the ordinary people in the day-to-day running of the state.  This is because, those who would be elected as Councilors and Mayors would inevitably be appointed from amongst the ordinary citizens

Additionally, the existence and operations of local government authorities have seriously facilitated the perseverance of our cultural heritage and traditions.  It is not a hidden secret that local government authorities are synonymous to our culture and tradition.  As such, the execution of political and administrative tasks by our Chiefs and Representatives would in some way help in maintaining our culture and tradition.  Chieftaincy as an institution itself is an indictor of the existence of our positive traditional values.  Without exaggeration, the restoration of powers to the local government authority can in itself help in easily disseminating national information.  This implies that with the structures of the local government authority in place, the inhabitants of various towns and villages will surely find it easier to inform, educate and entertain one another.  Apparently, the Councilors, Mayors, and traditional rulers, who have been considered as the principal personnel in the local government authorities should always make it their business to be educating their electorates.  Undoubtedly, local government authorities have been principally set up to contribute to the socio-economic development of the inhabitants.  This is also to mean that, it is the task of this institution (local government) to make sure that basic social amenities like schools, markets, community centres and other recreational facilities are provided for the inhabitants within their jurisdiction.  The provision of these items, if at all possible will surely contribute to the overall economic growth of the nation.  Furthermore, mention should be made to the fact that local government authorities are significant because they serve as training grounds for future political office.  Simply put, if an individual is planning to be actively involved in the political dispensation of his country, the person must firstly begin by actively serving in the local government council, where it is expected that he will acquire the much needed skills, knowledge and competence.

In a nutshell, the importance or need for local government authorities have been categorically examined to enable us appraise the performances of our Councilors, Mayors and local authorities, so that they can safely project into the future.

With all respect to existing Councilors, Mayors and traditional rulers in the present dispensation, it is sad to mention the fact that little or nothing has been actualized in the arena of the local government authority.  Sierra Leoneans have not been able to witness the provision of basic social amenities to the various towns and communities in this country by our current local government authorities.

In the same direction, adequate sensitizations have not been heard on the part of local government authorities, with regards the ongoing activities and operations of the central government that serves as the parent body.  In essence, it means that the personnel of the local government authorities have not been able to effectively and efficiently undertake their national task and where necessary the electorates must reconsider their decisions.

As a nation, we were able to win numerous complements and laurels in the professional and seemingly transparent manner in which our August and September 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections were conducted by the National Electoral Commission.  It is our expectation that a more sophisticated and transparent approach will be effectively and efficiently utilized to produce a better and more acceptable result.

At a time like this, when it is becoming clearer that, the elections are round the corner, it is the belief that Sierra Leoneans with more responsible approach to life and charisma will begin to show themselves as intending candidates. It is not they are those who contested and won the previous local government elections are not competent, but it is because there are better qualified and more competent individuals that could come forward and represent their communities.

Sierra Leoneans witnessed the outcome of the 2004 local government elections and have used it as a yardstick to determine the just concluded 2007 elections.  Emphasis should be laid on the fact that, whosoever or whatever political party emerges victorious in the May 2008 local government elections would stand on a solid ground for the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Election.  Therefore, it must be approached with every amount of seriousness.