By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown 31st March 2026 –Sierra Leone’s Director of the Decentralization Secretariat Alex Bhonapha Esq. has delivered a firm message to political actors and citizens alike, “local councils cannot be crippled by boycotts or political absence. They are institutions established by law, designed to function regardless of turbulence”.
Speaking against growing concerns over disruptions in local governance, the Director underscored that councils derive their authority from statute, not political participation. He cited Section 3 of the Local Government Act, which establishes councils as corporate bodies with perpetual succession, a safeguard that ensures continuity even in times of political uncertainty.
“In the absence of political heads, councils are still mandated to function,” he stressed, insisting that service delivery to citizens must remain uninterrupted.
The Director explained that the law anticipates periods of instability and provides mechanisms to keep governance on track. Under Section 32(2b), the Chief Administrator is recognized as the Vote Controller, with full responsibility for managing finances and maintaining operations.
To remove any lingering ambiguity, the Ministry of Local Government sought legal interpretation from the Attorney General’s Office on the relationship between the Public Financial Management Act and the Local Government Act 2022. The Solicitor General confirmed that the Chief Administrator is the legally recognized Vote Controller, tasked with ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Beyond day-to-day operations, the Director pointed to broader safeguards in the Local Government Act 2022. Sections 108 and 138 empower presidential intervention, subject to parliamentary approval, in cases of serious operational challenges. The Minister of Local Government also has authority to introduce regulations to stabilize councils when necessary.
The remarks reflect government’s determination to uphold institutional stability and prevent governance from being held hostage by political disputes. At its core, the Director emphasized, decentralization is about resilience: “Councils are protected by law. They are built to withstand political disruptions and must continue to deliver essential services to the people.”
