The Lower Bambara Chiefdom Development Association (LoBDA) has unveiled a proposal for the establishment of a Committee for Accountability in the implementation of Community Development Funds.
This sentiment where highlighted in the wordings of a letter addressed to the executive members of LoBDA. “We are writing to propose the creation of a dedicated committee responsible for auditing and ensuring accountability in the management of Community Development Funds and funds related to our Chiefdom. As engaged and concerned members of Lower Bambara Chiefdom, I believe that establishing such a committee is vital to safeguard the proper utilization of these resources and promote transparency and trust in our local leadership,” the letter reads.
LoBDA added that the chiefdom leaders, including the Honorable Member of Parliament, Councilors and other stakeholders responsible for the allocation and management of the funds, played a crucial role in the development and well-being of their Chiefdom, and further asserted that to ensure that the funds were used efficiently and effectively for the betterment of Lower Bambara Chiefdom, “we propose the establishment of an ‘Accountability and Audit Committee’ with the primary responsibilities to include but not limited to:
1. Regularly auditing the financial records and expenditures related to community development funds.
2. Reviewing project proposals and evaluating their feasibility and impact on our community.
3. Ensuring that funds are allocated and utilized in a transparent and accountable manner.
4. Reporting any discrepancies or irregularities to the community and relevant authorities.”
LoBDA is of the view that by creating such a committee, they aim at enhancing transparency, eliminating misuse of funds, encouraging community leaders to be more responsible and accountable for the funds entrusted into their care. They expressed firm belief that their suggested initiative would be a more efficient and effective community. development that would benefit all residents of the Chiefdom.
The LoBDA letter further kindly requested for the support of all stakeholders to consider the proposal and take the necessary steps to establish the Accountability and Audit Committee as LoBDA reiterated that the committee would be a valuable asset in ensuring that “our Community Development Funds are utilized for the greater good of our chiefdom. I look forward to discussing this proposal further and working together to enhance our community’s development and accountability.”
For so long, the people of Lower Bambara Chiefdom have been crying out for development with all the diamond mining companies that have operated in the Chiefdom for decades.
The LoBDA diaspora team would not relent and is poised to make drastic changes to correct past mistakes that have been made by elders and other stakeholders in the Chiefdom which needs urgent help before it’s late.
The letter further stated that the , LoBDA Diaspora would ensure that funds towards the development of the Chiefdom are effectively utilized for their intended purpose rather than few people embezzling and misusing them with impunity.
During the days of the Sierra Leone Selection Trust (SLST) Diamond Company, the first company that started mining diamonds in the Chiefdom, the Chiefdom elders were well-organized and placed premium on the development of the Chiefdom in spite of the fact that most of them were Standard One graduates with the exception of two, or three graduates in those days, while others were illiterates and some Islamic scholars.
The Section Chief of Nyawa Section, the late Samuka Konuwa of Lalehun, was a man of action and was prominent amongst the Chiefdom Leaders.
He was bold enough to tell the Company authorities what he wanted for his people. The SLST Company used to allocate funds for the development of the Chiefdom and unlike other sections, he did not request for money but appealed to the Company to undertake development projects for his Section. Lalehun Town used to have a Court Barrie for meetings, pipe-borne water supply and a paved road from the Company headquarters to Lalehun.
Another renowned Section Chief of Falay, Chief Borbor of Ngiehun and Lowoma all followed the sterling examples of the late Samuka Konuwa of Lalehun.
During the good old days, Lower Bambara Chiefdom was referred to as a Class A Chiefdom and most of the Chiefs were firmly united as peace and development reigned in the Chiefdom.
The change of government in 1968 brought in bad governance with the advent of the National Diamond Mining Company (NDMC) in the Chiefdom when things started falling apart. Instead of development, some Chiefdom elders changed their mindsets and started requesting money from mining companies for their selfish gains.
Lower Bambara Chiefdom that used to be known as a Class A Chiefdom deteriorated rapidly as funds that were supposed to be used for development purpose went into the hands of the chiefs, Members of Parliament and councilors who misappropriated such funds.
(This sentence is not clear) Another Section Chief of Falay Section, Ngiehun Chief Fodie Borbor and the Section Chief of Sei Lowomam, Chief Dakona were progressives, dynamic, selfless and upright leaders who were development-oriented.
LoBDA was formed in 2011 in New Jersey, USA with Bockari Conteh as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Musu Lahai, Organizing Secretary/Publicity Secretary, Amadu Daramy, AKA Wiseman, Financial Secretary, Lansana Bayoh and Secretary General Gbonda Sei.
Few years later, LoBDA became dormant when the Chairman Bockarie Conteh left for Sierra Leone. However, LoBDA was revived to LoBDA Diaspora with Mohamed Plato Koroma as Chairman, Amadu Daramy as Secretary General/Publicity Secretary, Edmund Joe Quee as Spokesman, Anthony Quee-Vice Chairman, Amy Ndoeka-Organizing Secretary, Financial Secretary-Abdul Foday Treasurer, Anthony Bockari, Haroona Amara and Assistant Secretary General.
LoBDA diaspora wants the CDF to be dissolved and replaced by a Transparency and Accountability Committee that will oversee the implementation of all development projects in the Chiefdom.
Also, LoBDA is calling on all stakeholders who have received funds on and on behalf of the Chiefdom to account for such funds as it need not be reiterated that it will never be business as usual as the trajectory of the Chiefdom has now changed with the election of the new Member of Parliament, Rugiatu Mussafa who is determined to ensure that accountability and transparency becomes the norm within the Chiefdom.
Richard Musa Ganda, a student leader from the chiefdom and other stakeholders expressed similar sentiments.