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Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), has conducted his first provincial tour to meet with troops and review welfare and operational initiatives. The tour covered Lungi, Kabala, Kono, Makeni, Bo, Pujehun, Jendema, Zimmi, Kenema, and Daru.
During his visits, Lieutenant General Bangura discussed several measures aimed at improving the welfare of soldiers. These included increases to the RSLAF Funeral Purse, Marriage Assistance, Ration Cash Allowance (RCA), and Monthly Running Cost (MRC). He also explained the implementation of the Tri-Service Plan, the use of engineering equipment for feeder road construction, and the allocation of 10% Unit and Formation fuel quota to Brigade and Regiment Sergeant Majors.
The CDS highlighted developments in agriculture, with RSLAF managing a 550-acre cashew farm in Mabalay, Port Loko District, a 250-acre fish farm in Bumpeh Tabay, Bo District, and large-scale rice cultivation. He said the army aims to produce at least 10,000 bags of rice by 2026 to feed personnel.
On healthcare, the 34 Military Hospital is being upgraded to handle critical medical conditions. Lieutenant General Bangura noted the role of First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio in supporting the hospital’s improvements.
The army has also signed a partnership with a Nigerian garment industry to produce military uniforms and accoutrements locally. Plans for constructing affordable housing for personnel in the provinces were also shared.
During the tour, the CDS approved 100 litres of fuel for all Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) personnel and made various donations to improve facilities across the provinces. These included cement, zinc, solar lights, generators, PA systems, bread flour, mattresses, and equipment for schools, mosques, churches, and barracks.
Specific actions included renaming the 15 Infantry Battalion in Lungi to 3 Infantry Battalion, commissioning the “Eastern Region Combat Bread and Confectionery” bakery in Kenema, and supporting school and barracks projects in Daru. In Jendema, Lieutenant General Bangura participated in a security sector meeting on drug trafficking and announced plans to recruit 500 veterans to reinforce border security.
The tour was well-received by troops, who expressed support for the CDS’s engagement and attention to welfare concerns.
