*Communications Unit – MCC*
*5/2/ 2025*
The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs today, February 5, 2025, presented the 2023 Comprehensive Local Government Performance Assessment (CLoGPAS) report to both Makeni City Council and Bombali District Council at the Makeni City Council hall. The report serves to evaluate council performance, highlighting strengths and identifying areas that require improvement for enhanced service delivery.
In his welcome address, *His Worship the Mayor, Abubakarr Kamara*, expressed appreciation to the assessment team for their dedication in presenting the CLoGPAS results. He emphasized the importance of such assessments, likening them to an examination where results help identify achievements and areas needing improvement. He expressed confidence that Makeni City Council had performed well.
The lead consultant of the CLoGPAS project, Mr. Sallieu Kamara, provided an overview of the assessment process. He explained that the 2023 CLoGPAS tools were developed through stakeholder engagement, including local councils, and that the 2023 assessment was funded by the World Bank Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP). He noted a significant methodological improvement, as the assessment transitioned from a paper-based system to a digitalized format using the Kobo Toolbox. This allowed for real-time data processing, ensuring greater accuracy, timeliness, and transparency in the evaluation process.
Before presenting the results, Mr. Kamara outlined the two main components of the assessment tool: *Minimum Conditions and Performance Measures.*
Minimum Conditions assessed the jurisdictional arrangement of councils, adherence to statutory meetings, regulations, laws, and policies.
Performance Measures evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of governance structures.
*The assessment covered seven key areas, each with specific indicators:*
• Financial Management, Budgeting, and Auditing
• Devolved Sector Performance
• Human Resource Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Use of Local Council Development Operational Guidelines
• Management, Organization, and Institutional Structures
• Transparency, Openness, and Accountability
*PERFORMANCE RESULTS*
Makeni City Council
The assessment recognized Makeni City Council’s outstanding performance across the evaluated indicators. However, challenges were identified in the areas of Devolved Sector Performance, particularly concerning over-enrollment in primary and junior secondary schools. Additionally, under Financial Management, Budgeting, and Auditing, internal audit recommendations had not been fully acted upon.
*Overall Score: 107 out of 115 – EXCELLENT*
Bombali District Council
The Bombali District Council also demonstrated commendable performance, though areas for improvement were noted in Management, Organization, and Institutional Structures; Transparency, Openness, and Accountability; Use of Local Council Development Operational Guidelines; Human Resource Management; Financial Management, Budgeting, and Auditing; and Devolved Sector Performance.
*Overall Score: 98 out of 115 – GOOD*
Following the presentation, the Chief Administrators of both councils formally accepted the results.
The keynote speaker, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Alusine Joaque, congratulated both councils on their performance. He urged them to maintain or improve their standings in the next CLoGPAS assessment.
Additionally, the Capacity Building Manager of the Decentralization Secretariat (Dec-Sec), Mr. John Brima, emphasized that the CLoGPAS assessment is not intended as a punitive measure but rather as a tool to help councils adhere to proper processes and procedures. He expressed satisfaction with the improved methodology of the assessment and extended gratitude to the lead consultant on behalf of the Ministry.
*Potential Kpus* Information, Education and Communications Officer-MCC