Allow Local Councils to Function Effectively – WARDC Chairman Kasho Urges Bio’s Government
Salamatu Y. Kamara The Chairman of the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC), Kasho Holland-Cole, has called on the central government to allow local councils to function effectively and to address the poor promotion and welfare conditions in the Sierra Leone Police.
Speaking in an interview on Ecko Media, Holland-Cole, who was discussing the work of the Western Rural District under the new administration, touched on the recent public debate sparked by the resignation of PC Lucinda N. Dick after 23 years without promotion.
According to the Chairman, the current police promotion system is demotivating and discourages long-serving personnel.
He argued that under normal progression, an officer should become Inspector after 5 to 10 years and ASP after 15 years, and should at least retire as Superintendent or Chief Superintendent to get a better end-of-service package, but the present system pulls officers back.
On governance, Holland-Cole appealed to government to empower local councils to deliver services, noting that both APC and SLPP-led councils are suffering from lack of devolution.
He cited examples where councils request land for markets, dumpsites and other development projects but face delays from central government.
He also spoke on the need for government to listen to the people and to sustain good policies regardless of which administration introduced them, referencing free quality education and the need to improve teachers’ salaries and quality.
The Chairman concluded that what is important now is not the creation of more districts or councils, but improving the livelihood of ordinary Sierra Leoneans.