AMB. NDOMIHINA SIGNS CONTRACTS WITH LOCAL CONTRACTORS FOR THIRTY (30) SUB PROJECTS...

NaCSA House, 29th March 2024-

The Commissioner of NaCSA, Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina has on Thursday, February 29, 2024 signed contracts with local contractors for thirty (30) sub projects of the Rapid Community Development Initiative (RACODI) Project.

The Rapid Community Development Initiative is exclusively financed by the Government of Sierra Leone and implemented by the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) in all sixteen districts, with the overall objective *“to develop trust between the citizenry and the Government through the implementation of fast-tracked community development projects”* with oversight from the Office of the Chief Minister, and other MDA’s

In his keynote address, the Commissioner of NaCSA, Amb. Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina extended his appreciation to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the leadership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party for the trust imposed on him to serve as Commissioner of NaCSA.

Commissioner Ndomahina paid special tribute to various key players who initiated the RACODI Projects. Describing His Excellency the President as *“Talk and Do”*, he confessed that he was pleased to be able to deliver on the promises made by the President. The Commissioner of NaCSA, further appealed to the contractors to put the interest of the country first.

On the distribution of the projects, Amb. Ndomahina disclosed that the sub projects cover the entire country and categorically noted that the allocation has proven that, the government does not perceive development on the basis of party affiliation.

In his capacity as Chairman of the event, the Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA, Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa described the occasion as the actualization of the dream of His Excellency the President in his strive to rebuild the country. He commended the Commissioner for his tremendous efforts in transforming the commission.

The Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA admonished the winning contractors to utilize the fund for its intended purpose, noting that unlike other projects in NaCSA, the RACODI project is 100 per cent Government of Sierra Leone’s funding.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Minister, the Director of Programmes at the Chief Minister’s Office, Joseph Maada Lahai extended his appreciation to NaCSA for the occasion, declaring their trust in NaCSA’s leadership. He described the RACODI Project as one of the biggest projects in the heart of the government. He lamented on some fake promises made to the people by previous past politicians, noting that the need change that, couple with the fact that President Bio is a *“Talk and do”* leader necessitated the project.

*“We are here as a testimony to the fact that His Excellency the President made some strategic promises at various times and locations. So what we are seeing today is the piloting of these sub projects, starting with only thirty (30) out of the over two hundred,”* he disclosed.

The primary objective, he went on, is to build the confidence between the government and the people. This, he further noted will not only build trust but will make the people happy to receive and listen to the President whenever he meets them with the assurance that he always delivers on his promises.

The Focal Person for the RACODI Project Patrick Lebbie who also double as the Programme Manager- for the Community Driven Development Project (CDDP) also spoke about the objective of the project and encouraged the contractors to do all they can to have the projects completed as scheduled.

William Sao-Lamin, the Civil Society representative at the occasion commended the leadership of NaCSA for acknowledging the presence of the Civil Society in such auspicious ceremony. He further added his voice in admonishing the contract to deliver on the assignment given to them, assuring them of their full monitoring of all the sub projects.

The ceremony was climaxed with the symbolic signing of the contracts by the commissioner of NaCSA, Amb. Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina and selected contractors at the session

The programme objective is in line with Government of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan, and is responsive to Three out of the” Big Five aspirations” of the agenda which includes, Feed Salone; Human Capital Development; and Youth Employment and Tech and infrastructure.

*For further information on this and other matters, please contact the Information, Education and Communication Unit: +23278319419/+23230518539/+23277022709*