Torchlight Communications

33 Chiefdoms For De-Amalgamation

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hadiru Ibrahim Kalokoh has re-echoed government’s unflinching commitment to foster peace and stability among amalgamated chiefdoms across the country through the introduction of the De-amalgamation process. Addressing Chiefdom authorities and other stakeholders from the Forty-nine affected chiefdoms in Segbwema , Kenema, Pujehun, Bo, Matru, Moyamba, Kambia, Portloko, Magburaka Makeni and Kabala during the validation of the draft report of the consultative meetings on the De-amalgamation of chiefdoms in the country, Mr. Kalokoh said the main thrust of the exercise was to review and acknowledge information gathered during the consultative meetings with stakeholders in the various chiefdoms in June this year. He reminded chiefdom authorities about the 2011 Chiefdom and Traditional Administration Policy which stated that De- amalgamation shall be considered only if there is recorded evidence of formally separated chiefdoms existed and that the process will provide viable units of local administration among other criteria.
Stressing on the relevance of the exercise, the Deputy Minister said even though the Chieftaincy Act of 2009 that addresses the rotational crowning of Paramount Chiefs has been passed, tension and animosity still manifest themselves in chieftaincy elections. He informed the chiefdom stakeholders that the process would unite communities that were brought together in an “unhappy marriage” as well as ensure peace, stability and good governance. He entreated the affected chiefdoms to be peaceful and law abiding, adding that the validated report will be presented to the newly constituted presidential task force for their perusal, approval and onward presentation to government. “No former amalgamated chiefdom should consider itself as an independent entity until the report is approved by government” he warned while thanking chiefdom stakeholders for their cooperation. Giving a summary of the draft report, the Local Governance Consultant, Aiah Joseph Lebbie thanked stakeholders for their valuable contributions during the national consultative meetings and outlined relevant information gathered during the consultative meetings and proffered recommendations in line with the 2011 Chiefdom and Traditional Administration Policy. Against this background, coupled with additional information gathered through research, the consultant recommended that the following chiefdoms be de-amalgamated in the interest of peace, stability and development :-Njaluanhun Chiefdom, Kailahun District, Neya, Neini, Mongo, Sulima, Folosaba Dembelia, Wara Wara Bafodia, Sengbe, Kasunko in Koinadugu District, Tambakha, Gbanti Kamaranka, Gbendembu Ngowahun, Bombali Shebora, Makari Gbanti, Libeisaygahun in Bombali District, Kalansogoia, Kafe Simiria, Kunike, Kholifa Rowala, Gbonkolenken, Yoni, Malal Mara in Tonkolili district, Braimaia, Gbinle Dixin, Masungbala in Kambia District, Bureh Kaseh Maconteh, Maforki , Thainka T**a Makama Safroko, Buya Romeinde, Lokomasama, Kamasondo in Portloko District, Jaiama Bongor, Galinass Perri and Kpanga Kabonde in Pujehun District. He also recommended that the other affected chiefdoms remain amalgamated for now and urged the affected chiefdoms to recognize and respect the authority of their respective paramount chiefs until the process is fully implemented.
Responding to the consultants findings and recommendations, Paramount Chiefs and representatives from all the affected chiefdoms showered praises on government for the initiative and commended the Deputy Minister and team for a job well done. They however advised government to take the issue of Chiefdom boundary delimitation seriously to avoid future conflicts and unrests.