By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Port Loko District, August 27, 2026: The Resident Minister Northwest, Ambassador Umaru Bon Wurie, has joined traditional leaders, residents and stakeholders of Marampa Chiefdom to validate the Marampa Chiefdom Development Plan 2026–2035, marking a milestone in Sierra Leone’s push for participatory, community-driven planning.
People-Centred Development
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Wurie stressed that development must reflect the aspirations of communities. “Communities should not have priorities imposed on them from outside,” he said, urging stronger collaboration among chiefs, councils, government, partners and the private sector to translate the plan into tangible outcomes.
Paramount Chief’s Call
Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Queen II hailed the process as historic, noting its potential to ensure development reaches remote areas. She emphasized priorities in infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, water, energy and youth empowerment.
Government Commitment
Deputy Development Secretary Usman Cherry Conteh described the initiative as a landmark in Sierra Leone’s development architecture, filling a gap by institutionalising chiefdom-level planning. He noted broad participation from chiefs, women, youth, persons with disabilities, NGOs and private sector actors.
Prince Alex Soriba of the Ministry of Local Government reaffirmed support, stressing the importance of inclusive consultations, accountability and community-level data. Alhaji S. Bah of the Ministry of Mines highlighted the plan’s role in guiding investments in mining communities.
Plan Overview
Senior Planning Officer Sylvester Macavoray explained that consultations with 3,012 residents identified 25 priority needs, translated into 24 programmes and 120 SMART projects. Ten chiefdom-wide projects serve as investment anchors.
The plan focuses on six areas:
- Local economic development and food security
- Education, health and social services
- Youth, women and environment
- Infrastructure and community services
- Governance and social cohesion
- Development financing
Immediate priorities include agricultural tools, access to finance for women and youth, solar energy, feeder-road maintenance and job creation.
Financing and Next Steps
The plan’s ten-year investment portfolio is estimated at NLe 467.7 million, rising to NLe 752.5 million by 2035. Funding will be mobilised through government, councils, mining resources, partners, NGOs, private sector and communities.
At the climax, Director of Rural Development Madam Mbalu Ajaratu Kamara presented the validated plan, while introducing the “One Chiefdom, One Project” initiative to strengthen links between chiefdom and district-level planning.