NaCSA and Its Implementing Partners to Extend the Green Public Works to Six Cities...

*Thursday 9th May 2024; NaCSA House*

– The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has commenced discussions with stakeholders on the extension of the Green Public Works (GPW) to Six Cities of Makeni, Port Loko, Bo, Kenema, Koindu New Sembehun and Bonthe.  The GPW has been piloted by the Freetown City Council with two sub-projects; Youth In Garbage Collection and Tree Planting.

It could be recalled that with support from the World Bank, NaCSA has commenced the implementation of the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) Project. Component two of the PSSNYE project pays attention to the Productive Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPWs) & Life Skills Support For Youth which comprises other sub-components including the Green Public Works.

On behalf of the President of Sierra Leone His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, the Commissioner of NaCSA – Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Mayors of the six cities. *‘’with the directives of the President, NaCSA is working with the World Bank and other partners to take prompt actions against poverty. The PSSNYE project has been positioned to be implemented with the national development aspirations (the big five game changers). The component of the said project speaks to the objective of our meetings with city Mayors and I am pleased to let you know that we have previously engaged Mayors and District Chairpersons of all councils. The essence is for us to understand the project’s implementation mechanisms and roles and responsibilities…’’* He ended.

Dr Abu Kargbo, the Senior Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank and the Technical Team Lead for the PSSNYE project briefly called on the Mayors to take the engagement as an opportunity to better understand the implementation strategy of the PSSNYE and ensure strategic collaboration. *‘’The World Bank is funding the PSSNYE project as a result of the impact of the Social Safety Net (SSN) project; which ended in June 2023 with a high satisfactory rating. In implementing component two of the PSSNYE, NaCSA is to collaborate with local councils of which work has commenced with the FCC which is worth commending.’’* He noted.

The Mayor of the Koindu New Sembehun City Council, Komba Sam was delighted to be part of the engagement and appreciated the Commission for bringing the local councils closer. *‘’we are ready to provide all needed support to ensure that this sub-project is a success. We have previously benefited from NaCSA on other projects, especially the cash transfers and we demonstrated our commitment to those processes. As it was, we will earnestly work with the NaCSA team and other partners to achieve the objective of the GPW.’’* He affirmed.

In his statement, Abubakarr Lamtales Kamara the Mayor of the Makeni City Council expressed the urgent need for the operationalisation of the GPW. He assured the team that the Makeni City Council is ready to commence implementation and that all necessary support needed to deliver will be provided. *‘’we have so far seen progress and I am happy to inform the team that the Makeni City Council has received three dump trucks for waste management.‘’* He ended. Having gone through the suggested activities, the Mayors including His Worship the Mayor of Bo City Council – Kobba Musa, the Mayor of Port Loko City Council – His Worship Alie Badara Tarawalli, the Mayor of Bonthe City Council – His Worship Mohamed M Robison and the Deputy Mayor of Kenema City Council – Md Rugiatu Koroma agreed to the activities with some modifications.

The engagement ended with optimism and a clear road map for the implementation package. Many other experts from the World Bank and NaCSA were present and provided meaningful support to the process.

*For further information on this and other matters,* *Please contact:*

*The Information, Education and Communication Unit*

*+23277022709/+23278319419/+23230518539*