By Sahrfoa Matturie
Authorities in Bombali District have renewed calls for stronger accountability and improved service delivery following a quarterly coordination meeting that brought together government institutions, development partners, and traditional leaders.
The District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) session, hosted by the Bombali District Council in collaboration with the Makeni City Council, served as a central platform for reviewing ongoing projects and aligning development priorities across the district.
Presenting the purpose of the meeting, Yarawa Kargbo of the council’s planning unit said the forum allows ministries, NGOs, and partners to report on their interventions while ensuring transparency through community-level validation. Paramount chiefs, he noted, play a critical role in confirming whether reported projects reflect realities on the ground.
The session highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including education support in Marampa, solar electrification efforts in Makeni and Kamakwie, and small scale infrastructure works such as culvert construction. Officials emphasized that such interventions fall within the council’s mandate to address local development needs.
However, concerns over uneven development quickly surfaced. Paramount Chief Bai Bero Mobellah III raised alarm over what he described as the persistent marginalisation of Marampa Chiefdom. He argued that confusion over administrative boundaries has led some development actors to misclassify the area, resulting in limited support.
He also pointed to critical gaps in the chiefdom’s healthcare system, noting that a hospital commissioned several years ago remains under-equipped. According to him, the facility lacks essential drugs, laboratory equipment, and functional diagnostic tools, rendering it unable to meet basic medical needs.
From a governance perspective, Adama B. Sesay of the district human rights committee described the DDCC as a “local parliament” where development decisions are shaped. She stressed that participation is key, warning that communities risk exclusion if they are not represented during such engagements.
While acknowledging modest progress in the first quarter, stakeholders noted improvements in coordination and information sharing compared to previous meetings. Participants expressed cautious optimism that identifying gaps through such forums will lead to more effective interventions. The meeting concluded with a collective call for tighter collaboration among councils, traditional authorities, and development organisations to ensure that development efforts are both inclusive and responsive to the needs of all communities in Bombali.
