Freetown – The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has announced that several communities across the Western Area and beyond will now be recognized as independent villages, following a review of settlement structures and population growth.
According to the ministry, the restructuring seeks to improve local governance, community development, and service delivery by granting certain villages the autonomy to operate separately from their parent communities.
Among those approved for separation are Black Johnson, which will now stand alone from John Obey, and During Town, which has been detached from Kerry Town. Other newly designated stand-alone villages include:
* Bankor from Tombo
* Yarms Farm New State from Yarms Farm
* Newton from Four Mile
* Tree Planting from Leicester
* Kobo from Ogo Farm
* Mabala from Crossing
* Kodollo from Rokel
* Upper and Lower from Deep Eye Water
* Grassfield from Benguema
* Majeitown from Gbemdebu
The move, officials say, is part of government’s decentralization drive aimed at giving communities greater decision-making power and recognition in national planning.
Local authorities and residents are expected to work closely with the Ministry of Local Government in setting up governance structures for the newly separated villages.
