The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Amb. Tamba Lamina together with local stakeholders in Kenema has on Wednesday 6th July, 2022 launched the Construction of an Ultra-Modern Funeral Home in Kenema with support from the European Union.

The event which took place at the Bandama Community Hall, Small Bo, Chiefdom, Kenema District attracted local Residents and people from all walks of life who have been craving to see the commencement of the Funeral Home project.

The construction of the funeral Home forms an integral investment component of the Kenema District Council EU-funded project titled: “Empowered Kenema District Council for Efficient Service Delivery to its Citizens “.

The project aimed to build the capacity of Council, support service Delivery and Revenue Mobilization for the ultimate goal of promoting decentralization and strengthen Council for effective service delivery.

The Funeral Home which comprises among others a modern morgue facility, will serve the Eastern districts of Kenema, Kono and Kailahun as well as the southern districts.

Welcoming the minister and other participants the Paramount Chief of Small-Bo Daffe Benya expressed thanks to EU and Government for the funeral Home Project ,adding that the project was a felt need for Kenema and the entire Eastern Region.

Delivering the Key Note address, the Minister of MLGRD, Amb. Tamba Lamina, stated that the EU Grant targeted Local Councils of Kenema ,Pujehun , Bomablai , Kambia and other Local Councils re-affirm President commitment to his manifesto promise of reactivating decentralization and strengthening Local Councils for effective Service Delivery.

He underscored the relevance of the EU project in building the capacity of Local Councils for effective service delivery.

The Local Government Minister singled out Kenema District Council as one of the best performing Local Council that have done exceptional well in the execution of Government Projects and actions under the European Union funded window.

He says the Ministry holds Kenema District Council at highest esteem and remains exceedingly proud of the leadership and staff of Kenema District Council.

The Minister encouraged the Chief Administrator and team to continue the good work.

In relation to the Funeral Home, the Minister stated that the Funeral Home was a felt need, given the fact that in the entire Eastern Region, there has been no standard mortuary for preservation of Corpse, citing that in most cases people have to struggle and incur huge expenses to convey their dead relatives to Freetown for preservation or postmortem services. He added that with the construction of the Funeral Home, the burden of moving corpse to Freetown will be a thing of the past.

The Minister commended the European Union and Government of the new direction for believing that local Council has all the expertise to push service delivery at local level.

The Minister disclosed that most of the EU tangible projects mainly the Funeral Home , Markets ,ultra-modern hall and Roads will be commissioned on or before January ,2023.

He urged the contractors to respect the project timeline and ensure quality work.

The Chief Administrator, Ahmed Shekuba Koroma gave an overview of the EU Project stating that the project seeks to build capacity of Council, support service delivery and revenue mobilization.

The Chief Administrator elucidated on the programs under the EU particularly on addressing the capacity gap in Council, construction of feeder roads, Markets and Ultra-Modern Hall amongst others.

The CSO Regional Chairman, Mr. Augustine Sannoh, thanked Council, the EU and Government for supporting service delivery. He assured all that the civil society will monitor the works and ensure that quality job is done.

He called on local authorities to own the project and to provide effective oversight where necessary to assure its successful implementation.

The Chairman of Kenema District Council, Mohamed A level Sesay dilated on council’s efforts in promoting service delivery in the district.
He mentioned that in the past years council has funded the construction of bridges and culverts, noting that more projects are on the pipeline for the year 2022 using Own Source Revenue, Donors and Government allocations.

He reminded all of the President’s desire to ensure development reaches every nook and cranny of the district irrespective of tribe or region.

The Chairman called on all actors to work in synergy for the betterment of the District and Sierra Leone as a whole.

Other key speakers were; the Chairman NSA, Mortician Kenema Government Hospital, Brigade Commander, Senior District Officer and the host paramount chief of small Bo chiefdom Kenema District representative.

The event was climaxed with traditional rite and turning of the sod led by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Paramount Chief, Senior District Officer and other key stakeholders.