By Sallieu S. Kanu
Following the satisfactory implementation of 29 subprojects across the country by 15 beneficiary Local District Councils under the first round of the Local Development Grant (LDG) Scheme, the Accountable Governance for Basic Service Delivery Project in the Ministry of Finance on December 20, 2024, has completed the disbursement of US$1,976,250 to 15 Local District Councils for the implementation of 33 subprojects under the second round of the LDG Scheme of the Project.
According to a statement from AGBSDP, this amount constitutes 60% of the round two LDG allocations, which almost doubles the disbursement under the first round of the LDG Scheme.
AGBSDP said the second round of Local Development Grant disbursement to the District Councils followed a thorough assessment of first-round implementations, drawing from lessons learned during round one and thereby factoring recommendations into the review of standards and specifications for the rehabilitation of schools, health care, and public facilities to meet what the Project describes as agreed minimum standards for onwards implementation of the LDG.
“The minimum standard for rehabilitation, reconstruction and completion of health facilities now entails a staff quarter, source of solarized electricity, labour and observation room, outpatient and inpatient section, incinerator, waste management pits, water and sanitation facilities. Similarly for schools and public facilities, the minimum standard entails spacious and well-ventilated classrooms, requisite furniture, electrification, water and sanitation facilities amongst others,” AGBSDP said in the statement.
These disbursements have been made directly into the beneficiaries’ special accounts designated for LDG disbursements. Funds transferred are meant to support the beneficiary District Councils for the implementation of small-scale capital investment and poverty reduction projects: particularly in relation to infrastructural improvements in accordance with their development plans.
About the AGBSDP and the LDG Scheme
The AGBSDP is a US$ 40 million investment financing grant from the World Bank to the Government of Sierra Leone to be implemented over a 5-6-year period. The project seeks to strengthen governments’ institutional systems and capacity for accountability and management of resources to more effectively deliver basic services in response to community needs, across all districts.
The LDG Scheme is anchored under component 2.1 of the AGBSDP and it is designed to support fifteen (15) Local District Councils through annual development grants. It is guided by a Grants Implementation Manual, managed by a dedicated Grants Management Team and follows a five (5) round incremental phased approach. These disbursements are for the implementation of the second round of the LDG Scheme.
Implementation and Monitoring
Local District Councils will execute the sub-projects financed under the Local Development Grant Scheme. The Ministry of Finance will provide oversight to ensure that all sub-grants recipients adhere to the terms of the LDG Sub-Grant agreements, sub-projects are implemented in line with agreed deliverables, timeline and funds are spent in accordance with the MoF and World Bank’s Financial Laws and Regulations, and the MoF/World Bank’s policies and procedures on grant recipient management.
Below is a summary of Round Two Local Development Grant disbursement/transfer to 15 District Councils including sub-projects and their respective location across the country.