The Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC), in partnership with the World Bank-funded Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP), officially launched its 2024-2028 Development Plan on January 23, 2024.
The plan outlines a strategic framework aimed at fostering sustainable urban and rural development within the district.Built around five core pillars—Economic Growth and Transportation, Planning and Management, Climate Change and Environmental Protection, Enhancing Urban Infrastructure and Social Services, and Transportation, Mobility, and Access—the Development Plan seeks to address pressing challenges while promoting long-term progress.
Speaking at the launch, WARDC Chairman Kasho J. Holland Cole described the initiative as a comprehensive roadmap for transforming the district. He highlighted key achievements under the council’s leadership, including improvements in education, market infrastructure, healthcare services, and job creation.
He acknowledged the World Bank’s significant financial support through the RUSLP, which has been instrumental in the formulation of the plan.Chief Administrator Festus Kallay called the document a vital tool for guiding the council’s development efforts and praised the Chairman’s commitment to driving impactful change.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs Alfred Moi Jamirio commended WARDC for aligning its priorities with the government’s broader development agenda. He described the plan as a people-centered initiative and encouraged residents to actively support its implementation.
The event, held at the WARDC conference hall, was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from government ministries, Members of Parliament, councilors, village leaders, civil society organizations, and the media.
Notable speeches were delivered by Ambassador Adekunle King, Minister of the Western Region; Osman C. Conteh, Deputy Development Secretary at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development; and Madam Mariatu Browne, Senior Deputy Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance.
The WARDC Development Planning Officer, Mohamed Momoh, presented the details of the plan, while Adams Tommy, Project Coordinator of Accountable Governance, chaired the event.
The launch was widely praised for its effective coordination and the strong sense of collaboration and ownership demonstrated by community stakeholders. Guests noted the event’s success as a reflection of the district’s commitment to achieving its development goals under the new plan.
