The Government of Sierra Leone has unveiled proposed boundary maps for the establishment of three new local councils in the Western Area Rural District, as part of efforts to strengthen decentralisation, improve service delivery and bring local governance closer to communities.
The proposed councils, Waterloo Rural Council, Mountain Rural Council and York Rural Council, were presented during the Civic Day Series held at the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) Hall in Waterloo on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The engagement, organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE) under the theme “Government at Your Doorstep,” brought together government officials, local councillors, community representatives and residents to discuss the proposed administrative restructuring.
Speaking during the engagement, Director of the Decentralisation Secretariat, Alex Bonapha Esq., presented maps showing the proposed boundaries, headquarters, wards and chiefdoms of the three councils.
Bonapha explained that the redistricting initiative is intended to address administrative challenges associated with the geographical size and growing population of the Western Area Rural District.
Under the current arrangement, the Western Area Rural District Council is responsible for administering communities spread across a large geographical area, creating challenges in delivering services and responding effectively to local development needs.
According to Bonapha, the proposed restructuring seeks to strengthen local administration, improve access to public services and promote more equitable development.
If approved and implemented, the three councils could bring local government institutions closer to residents, making it easier for communities to engage with authorities and participate in decisions affecting their development.
However, the government has not yet announced a final approval or implementation date for the proposed councils.
Community representatives in Waterloo welcomed the proposal, expressing optimism that the establishment of additional councils could improve development opportunities and strengthen local representation.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Councillor Mary Kargbo, Chairperson of the WARDC Social Welfare Committee, and Councillor Marie Kamara Coker commended the government’s initiative.
They highlighted the potential benefits of decentralisation, particularly for women and communities that have experienced difficulties accessing essential services.
The councillors expressed hope that the proposed councils would encourage fairer resource distribution, improve access to public facilities and create more opportunities for residents to participate in local governance.
They also emphasised the importance of women’s inclusion in decision-making, economic activities and community development programmes.
According to the representatives, bringing administrative structures closer to residents could strengthen accountability and ensure that community priorities receive greater attention.
The Civic Day engagement was hosted by Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, and featured senior government officials and representatives of local institutions.
Among the panellists were Minister of Local Government, Ambassador Tamba Lamina; Minister of State for the Western Region, Adekunle King; WARDC Chairman Kasho J. Holland-Cole; and Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communication and Public Relations at Statistics Sierra Leone.
Local councillors and other stakeholders also participated in the discussions.
The event provided residents with an opportunity to examine the proposed maps, ask questions and share their views on the planned changes.
Government representatives explained the objectives of the redistricting exercise and discussed how the creation of additional local councils could affect public administration, service delivery and community development.
The consultation formed part of broader efforts to involve citizens in discussions about proposed changes to local governance.
Discussions also focused on the importance of the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census in supporting effective local government planning.
Officials emphasised that accurate population data would help authorities better understand the needs of communities and make informed decisions about infrastructure, public services and resource allocation.
Reliable census information is expected to support development planning by providing data on population distribution and other demographic characteristics.
Such information could also help guide future administrative decisions as the proposed redistricting initiative moves through the relevant approval processes.
The proposed establishment of Waterloo, Mountain and York Rural Councils represents a significant development in discussions about decentralisation and local government administration in Sierra Leone.
Supporters of the initiative believe that smaller administrative areas could improve coordination between residents and local authorities, strengthen accountability and encourage more balanced development.
However, the three councils have not yet been formally established, and their creation remains subject to the necessary government and legal processes.
The unveiling of the maps marks an important stage in public consultation, allowing residents to better understand the proposed boundaries and contribute their views before further decisions are taken.
For communities across the Western Area Rural District, the proposal raises expectations of more accessible governance, improved public services and greater participation in local development.
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