On November 5, 2024, the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ambassador Tamba Lamina, distributed a range of donated items, including laptop computers, projectors, and video cameras, provided by the Jiangsu Province in China. These items were allocated to partner ministries, Provincial Secretaries, District Officers, Development Planning Officers, and Information, Education & Communication Officers in the 22 Local Councils nationwide.
The donation is part of an ongoing strategic partnership established in February, when Vice Governor Fang Wei of Jiangsu Province visited Sierra Leone. During his visit, the Minister of Local Government and representatives from various ministries, including the Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, and Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU outlines a framework for collaboration in trade, investment, human capital development, academic exchanges, and vocational and skills training. The donated items fulfill a commitment made in this agreement.
In his remarks, Minister Lamina highlighted the challenges faced by Local Government staff due to a lack of essential resources. He explained that his ministry collaborated with other key ministries to reach out to Jiangsu Province, leading to Vice Governor Fang Wei’s visit and the pledge of these much-needed resources.
The donation included 15 digital cameras, 8 live-streaming cameras, 81 laptop computers, and 9 projectors, all received through the Chinese Embassy on behalf of Jiangsu Province. Minister Lamina emphasized that these items would be distributed to build the capacities of Local Government staff and partner ministries.
Among the primary beneficiaries are the 22 Information, Education & Communication Officers, 22 Development Planning Officers in the Local Councils, 14 District Officers, 5 Principal Secretaries, the Decentralization Secretariat, the Local Government Services Commission, and other partner ministries. Minister Lamina encouraged beneficiaries to use the items responsibly and to share resources as needed.
Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, speaking on behalf of other benefiting ministries, expressed gratitude to the people of Jiangsu Province and commended Minister Lamina for his role in ensuring the safe delivery of the items. She urged all recipients to use the equipment for its intended purposes. Prince Soriba, Provincial Secretary for the Northern Province, also extended thanks to Minister Lamina and Jiangsu Province on behalf of the Local Government family
