FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – In a significant development aimed at bolstering urban infrastructure and resilience, eight city councils in Sierra Leone have received a generous equipment donation from the World Bank-funded Resilient Urban Sierra Leone (RUSL) Project.
The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall on George Street in Freetown, marking a milestone in the project’s efforts to support local governance and urban development.
The equipment, presented by Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie, includes 24 motorbikes (3 for each council), 24 laptops (3 per council), eight multipurpose printers with 32 cartridges, eight tablets, 8 GPS devices, 8 digital cameras, eight mobile modems with 14-month subscriptions per council, 16 phones, eight desktop computers, and UPS units. These resources are intended to bolster the City Project Implementation Teams (CPITs) within the various City Councils, enabling them to carry out their responsibilities as outlined in their terms of reference effectively.
Mr. Dingie emphasized the importance of responsible and judicious use of the equipment, urging the beneficiary City Councils to leverage these resources to address the multi-sectoral urban development challenges facing their communities.
He underscored the World Bank’s commitment to enhancing the capacities of Local Councils, enabling them to better serve their constituencies.
Highlighting the broader goals of the RUSL Project, Mr. Dingie noted its support for disaster response, waste management, and social problem-solving, underscoring the pivotal role that Local Councils play in safeguarding the environment. He also hinted at future infrastructural developments that the project would bring to the councils.
Furthermore, Mr. Dingie encouraged mayors to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs during the project’s implementation.
Project Coordinator Anthony Koroma provided insight into the four key project components and activities, including institutional and capacity development in integrated urban management, resilient municipal infrastructure investment and urban greening, emergency management, and project management capacity development.
This equipment donation represents a significant step towards enhancing the urban development and disaster response capabilities of Sierra Leone’s local governance bodies, reaffirming the World Bank’s commitment to fostering resilient and sustainable urban communities in the country.
