The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has on the 9th May 2024 commenced discussions with stakeholders on the extension of the Green Public Works (GPW) to Six Cities in the country as part of enhancing sustainable development.

The six projected cities include, Makeni, Port Loko, Bo, Kenema, Koindu New Sembehun and Bonthe.

It could be recalled that the GPW has been piloted by the Freetown City Council with two sub-projects; Youth In Garbage Collection and Tree Planting which was reported to be successful.

They revealed that, the World Bank earlier supported NaCSA to commence the implementation of the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) Project and that the second component of the PSSNYE project pays attention to the Productive Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPWs) & Life Skills Support For Youth which comprises other sub-components including the Green Public Works that has been planned to reach out to other cities.

The Commissioner of NaCSA – Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Mayors of the six cities.

He stated that, with the directives of President Bio they are working with the World Bank and other partners to take prompt actions against poverty and that, the PSSNYE project has been positioned to be implemented with the national development aspirations (the big five game changers).

“The component of the said project speaks to the objective of our meetings with city Mayors and I am pleased to let you know that we have previously engaged Mayors and District Chairpersons of all councils. The essence is for us to understand the project’s implementation mechanisms and roles and responsibilities…’’ He stated.

The Senior Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank and the Technical Team Lead for the PSSNYE project, Dr. Abu Kargbo called on the Mayors to take the engagement as an opportunity to better understand the implementation strategy of the PSSNYE and ensure strategic collaboration and that, the World Bank is funding the PSSNYE project as a result of the impact of the Social Safety Net (SSN) project; which ended in June 2023 with a high satisfactory rating.

He furthered that, In implementing component two of the PSSNYE, NaCSA is to collaborate with local councils of which work has commenced with the FCC which is worth commending for what they did.

The mayors of the selected cities highlighted their satisfaction over the project and maintained that they would be committed to ensuring that, once implemented in their cities they will make sure it works well to achieving its actual purpose.