By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone — March 5, 2026: Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Amb. Tamba Lamina, has summoned an emergency meeting to address the escalating financial and operational crisis at the Freetown City Council (FCC), following the suspension of the council’s access to funds that has disrupted sanitation services across the capital.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters, was prompted by mounting public concern over waste collection and sanitation management in Freetown. The crisis reportedly stems from administrative complications following the transfer of FCC’s former Finance Officer, Ismeila Bah, which left the council unable to access its operational accounts.
As a result, contractors and suppliers responsible for fuel and sanitation services have gone unpaid for months, leading to a slowdown in waste management and other essential services.
“This situation is not about individuals,” Minister Lamina stressed during the session. “It is about ensuring that the city continues to function and that sanitation services are restored for the people.”
Background of Dispute
The funding crisis comes against a backdrop of long-running tensions between FCC and central government authorities. The council, under Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr until 2023, had frequently clashed with the Ministry of Local Government over issues of autonomy, financial oversight, and political interference. Critics argue that these disputes have undermined service delivery in the capital, with sanitation often becoming a flashpoint.
Observers note that the current impasse reflects broader struggles over control of local governance structures, where administrative decisions—such as staff transfers—can paralyze council operations.
Emergency Session
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including FCC’s Chief Administrator, current and former Finance Officers, representatives of the Local Government Service Commission, and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and Decentralization Secretariat.
Officials agreed on the urgent need to unblock access to FCC’s funds to enable payments to sanitation contractors and fuel suppliers. The minister directed council officials to prepare a detailed report of all outstanding obligations, which will be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance to expedite the release of funds.
The Chief Administrator confirmed that several suppliers have not been paid for months, worsening the sanitation crisis and eroding public confidence in the council’s ability to manage waste.
Way Forward
Minister Lamina assured participants that the government is committed to resolving the issue swiftly to stabilize FCC operations. “We must act quickly to restore services and ensure that residents of Freetown are not left to suffer because of administrative bottlenecks,” he said.
The outcome of the emergency meeting is expected to determine whether FCC can resume normal operations and restore essential services in the coming weeks.