Local councils across Sierra Leone have not received a single disbursement from their 2025 budget allocations, sparking concerns over the central government’s commitment to decentralization.
According to the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), the funding gap is crippling service delivery in communities, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of stalled projects and disrupted essential services.
“This delay shows a clear lack of commitment to the principles of decentralization,” BAN said, warning that without timely transfers, councils will be unable to fulfil their mandates in areas such as waste management, education, and health services.
Observers say the funding freeze has already impacted local governance, with some councils reportedly struggling to pay staff and maintain basic operations.
The Ministry of Finance has not yet issued an official explanation for the delay, but civic groups are urging the government to release funds immediately to prevent further harm to local development.
By Foday Bah
