As NaCSA Engages Municipal Councils on the Green Public Works (GPW), Mayors Praise His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio...

*Thursday 18th July 2024, Bo City Council* – The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has taken the Green Public Works to Bo, Kenema and Bonthe city councils. The Green Public Works (GPW) will target inactive and unskilled youth, women, and persons with disabilities from poor and vulnerable households for participation in the Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW) activities and is expected to reach 6,000 urban youth ages 18–35 with productive public work opportunities.

In his welcome address, the Mayor of the Bo City Council, His Worship the Mayor Kobba Musa assured the Mayors from Kenema and Bonthe city councils, the Commissioner of NaCSA and the team of experts that Bo City is secured and the council is ready for the needed support. *‘’I welcome you all to Bo and I am certain that we can host you with comfort. We have previously committed our support to the Commissioner of NaCSA – Amb. Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina and seeing him is a testament that we are here to discuss matters relating to development.’’* He noted.

Idris Turay is the Senior Director and National Coordinator for the National Social Protection Secretariat (NSPS), in his address, he noted that the Social Safety Nets project ended with a satisfactory rating; ‘’all thanks to the councils for their enormous support.’’ *‘’…. Due to the transparent implementation of the SSN project, the Productive Social Safety Nets and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project is launched with clear objectives. The project has five components and subcomponents and critical amongst them are the Green Public Works and Digital Public Works. We are here to discuss the mechanisms for the commencement of these sub-components in Kenema, Bo and Bonthe City Councils’’* He ended.

*‘’HE Dr Julius Maada Bio has proven to be a man of repute and he has done everything within his power to give local councils the honour and dignity they deserve. We have had regular meetings with NaCSA in which the interest of our people and taking development to the people have been the centre of our discussion. Be rest assured that we are ready to give you the needed support to ensure that we develop our communities and take our people out of poverty.’’* The Mayor of Bonthe City Council Mohamed M. Robinson noted.

In a similar tone, the Mayor of the Kenema City Council Thomas K. Baio reiterated that the councils are more than ready to embrace development initiatives in their respective cities. He noted that the city councils are challenged with waste management though efforts are made to ensure that waste is collected more support is needed especially for bigger cities. *‘’I am confident that with Amb. Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina as the head of NaCSA, the desire of His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio to enhance community development through local councils will be sustained. We don’t want to be subject to development plans, we want to be part of development and as it is, NaCSA is on the right path.’’* He ended.

In his Keynote address, the Commissioner of NaCSA; Amb. Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina reiterated that the *President – His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio remains committed to achieving the aspirations outlined in the Big Five Game Changers. He noted that the PSSNYE project is funded by the World Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone. *‘’I have previously expressed commitment that we will work with the local councils because of the burning desire to achieve the development framework put forward by His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, we must be inclusive and work together as a team. My dear mayors, I want to officially inform you that a 2.3 million dollar project will be implemented by the city councils. ’’*

He further informed the council that the project will build their capacity with the supply of equipment including dumb trucks, motorbikes and all tools necessary to enhance the efficiency of the city councils. He assured the councils that the project would kick off with the needed urgency though in line with established processes and procedures.

In conclusion, the Commissioner thanked *His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio* for always taking development to his people, he also thanked the team of experts at NaCSA and the councils for their support to the entire process.

*For further information on this and other matters, don't hesitate to get in touch with The Information, Education and Communication Unit*: *at +23277022709/+2323051853 9* www.nacsa.gov.sl