By Marian Magdalene Bangura
The Government of Sierra Leone has unveiled maps outlining plans to establish three new rural councils in the Western Area: Waterloo Rural Council, Mountain Rural Council and York Rural Council, in a proposed redistricting exercise aimed at bringing governance closer to communities.
Director of the Decentralisation Secretariat, Alex Bonapha Esq., presented the maps during the Civic Day Series at the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) Hall in Waterloo, where he spoke on Redistricting and the Creation of New Localities.
Organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE) under the theme “Government at Your Doorstep,” the engagement brought government officials face-to-face with residents to explain the proposed changes and gather public feedback.
Director Bonapha explained that the redistricting initiative seeks to improve service delivery, strengthen local governance, and promote more equitable development. The maps outline the proposed boundaries, headquarters, wards, and chiefdoms of the three councils.
The proposal responds to concerns about the size and population of the Western Area Rural District and the challenges of administering such a large area through a single council. If approved and implemented, the new councils could expand local administrative access, improve responsiveness, and create more opportunities for communities to participate in decision-making.
The proposal received a positive and welcoming response from residents of Waterloo with local representatives expressing optimism about its potential to transform development and service delivery across the district.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Councillor Mary Kargbo, Chairperson of the WARDC Social Welfare Committee, and Councillor Marie Kamara Coker welcomed and commended the initiative, highlighting its potential to unlock greater development opportunities, particularly for women and other underserved groups.
The councillors stressed that establishing the proposed councils could strengthen the connection between government and citizens by improving access to local authorities and bringing decision-making closer to the people.
They also highlighted the potential for more balanced resource allocation, improved community development, and increased access to public facilities and essential services. They expressed hope that the proposed changes would create broader opportunities for women to participate in local governance, economic activities, and development programmes.
Their reactions reflected the community’s expectation that a more decentralised administrative structure could promote greater inclusion, strengthen accountability, and ensure that local priorities receive more attention in development planning.
The event was hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah. Panelists included the Minister of Local Government, Amb. Tamba Lamina; Director of Communication& Public Relations Statistics Sierra Leone, Samuel Ansumana; Minister of State for the Western Region, Adekunle King; WARDC Chairman Kasho J Holland-Cole; and local councillors.
The engagement provided residents, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders with an opportunity to examine the proposed maps, seek clarification, and share their views on the planned restructuring.
Discussions also focused on the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census, with government officials and development partners emphasising the importance of accurate population data for effective planning, resource allocation, and the delivery of public services.
Reliable census data will be important in identifying community needs and informing development priorities as the proposed new localities move through the relevant processes, said Samuel Andumana, the Director of Communication, Statistics Sierra Leone.
Unveiling of the map represents a significant step in public engagement on the proposed restructuring of local governance in the Western area. While the councils remain proposed, the positive reception in Waterloo signals strong community interest in a system that promises greater accessibility, more inclusive development, and a closer relationship between government and citizens.
