The Inclusive District Committee in Kailahun with support from the Office of Vice President,Catalyst for Peace and Fambul Tok last week called a meeting inviting all Paramount Chiefs,Councilors and community members to look at successes, challenges and the way forward since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on joint revenue collection last year.
Explaining the purpose of the gathering,Vice Chair, IDC Kailahun,Madam Satta Ndolleh Kaikai said stakeholders made commitment last year with regards joint revenue mobilization and the meeting was called to delve into what have been achieved since a year ago.She lamented over the poor cooperation,adding that not much has been done.
Daru meeting in progress
Executive Director of Fambul Tok International,Sierra Leone,John Caulker said the idea of forming the Inclusive District Committees in the pilot phase of the People’s Planning Process was to ensure that organizations interface with those structures for development aspirations.He said it was agreed that traditional leaders and community members should work with Council to jointly collect revenues in different forms and in return 40 percent will be allocated to chiefdoms and 60 percent to Council.He urged everyone to be committed once again since last year did not yield much dividend.
John Caulker addressing his audience
Chairman,Council of Paramount Chiefs in Kailahun District,PC Mohamed Sheriff Coker Jajua explained the importance of revenue collection.He said not much was achieved as there were so many challenges but assured that with all hands on deck this time round there will be progress.
Deputy Chief Administrator,Kailahun District Council,Henry Powell on behalf of Council threw his unflinching support towards the idea of joint revenue mobilization.He highlighted six key points in revenue generation such as Discovery,Asssesssment,Billing,Sensitization,Collection and Compliance.
However various speakers made significant contributions as to how all should work to improve revenue collection and promote sustainable peace and social cohesion in the district.
