JFK has questioned the Government of Sierra Leone’s decision to establish two new districts and eight new councils, raising concerns about the legal basis, data used, public consultation and potential financial and political implications of the administrative restructuring.
The concerns follow the recent gazetting of 30 Establishment Orders formally creating Bandajuma and Kpanguima Districts, alongside eight new local councils.
While the Government has presented the restructuring as part of efforts to decentralise governance and bring public administration closer to citizens, JFK argues that the process requires greater scrutiny before the new administrative structures are fully implemented.
A central issue raised is the absence of what JFK considers to be sufficiently validated population data to justify the creation of the new districts. He argued that the decisions should be informed by credible demographic evidence, particularly a new census.
JFK contrasted the current process with the establishment of Falaba and Karene Districts in 2017, which he said was informed by the 2015 Population and Housing Census. That census recorded populations of 205,353 for Falaba and 285,546 for Karene, respectively.
He also questioned the level of consultation with communities affected by the new administrative boundaries, particularly in relation to the division of Freetown.
According to JFK, inadequate consultation could create challenges for communities that may have to adjust to new administrative boundaries and governance arrangements. He further referenced concerns over land ownership, boundary disputes and relations between neighbouring paramount chiefs arising from recent de-amalgamation processes.
The expansion of local government structures has also raised questions about public expenditure. JFK noted that each newly established council would require administrative structures, leadership and dedicated budgets, potentially increasing the financial burden on government.
He argued that the creation of additional councils could also introduce new coordination and management challenges if the existing institutional and financial constraints are not adequately addressed.
The political implications of the restructuring also feature prominently in JFK’s concerns. He questioned whether the creation of new districts and councils could influence the distribution of parliamentary and local government positions, amid broader political debate over the country’s electoral and administrative boundaries.
The All People’s Congress (APC) has similarly raised concerns about the restructuring, alleging that the process lacks sufficient transparency, data and community engagement.
JFK further warned that frequent changes to administrative boundaries based on political transitions could establish a cycle in which successive governments redraw districts and councils according to their own interests, potentially affecting long-term institutional stability.
He therefore called for a more transparent, evidence-based and consultative process, arguing that any major changes to Sierra Leone’s administrative map should be supported by credible demographic data, meaningful engagement with affected communities and careful consideration of the financial and governance implications.
