implementation process and admonished partners to always involve local councils at every stage of their project’s activities. The essence of the Decentralization Programme, he said is to ensure most of the functions of the Central government are transferred to local councils for the benefit of the rural people and registered government’s determination to fully implement the devolution process. He cited instances where projects have been implemented without recourse to local councils and entreated development partners to take into account government’s avowed Local Content Policy which gives greater consideration to Sierra Leoneans.
He also emphasized the need for project coordinators to hold regular consultative meetings with other stakeholders including his ministry to enhance transparency and effective management and implementation of projects. “Let us be active partners, not mere monitors”, he added. “We cannot link farmers if the roads are bad” the minister opined whilst acknowledging the important role SCADeP plays in promoting agricultural development in the country with special reference to the project’s Feeder Roads component. As one of government’s flagship programmes under his ministry, ministry of Agriculture and the ministry of Trade, Mr. Brewah assured that his ministry will ensure the objective of SCADeP which seeks to transform the Agriculture sector and lives of the rural poor is achieved.
