The Accountable Governance for Basic Service Delivery Project (AGBSDP), through its Project Management Unit (PMU) and in collaboration with the Project Implementing Units (IUs) of Ministry of Finance and World Bank’s project support technical team, has successfully concluded joint field visits to all 15 beneficiary Local District Councils. This visit follows the disbursement of over US$1.6 million dollars for the implementation of 29 subprojects under round-one Local Development Grants (LDG).
The joint field visit, completed on Friday, 9th February, aimed to assess the progress of subproject implementation across the country. Under Component 2.1 of the AGBSD Project, which accounts for approximately US$17 million dollars, these grants are designated for small-scale community projects aligned with Local District Councils’ Development Plans.
John Hodge, the World Bank’s in-country Senior Financial Management Specialist and Co-Technical Team Lead for the Accountable Governance Project, led the monitoring briefing with each District Council. The visit outlined discussions on subproject implementation status, selection criteria, financial reports, environmental and social screening processes, and expected outcomes.
The field team visited all fifteen Local District Councils, including Bombali, Bo, Bonth, Moyamba, Pujehun, Falaba, Kambia, Karene, Koinadugu, Port Loko, Tonkolili, Kailahun, Kenema, Kono, and the Western Area Rural District Council. While most subprojects were reported to be almost complete, three faced delays due to various challenges, including logistical issues and capacity constraints.
Despite substantial progress, issues such as delayed implementation, ineffective project management, and breaches in environmental and social management were identified. Recommendations were made for comprehensive subproject designs and Budgets of Quantities (BoQs) to improve future implementations.
All fifteen Local Councils reported unspent balances following the completion of contractor payments, highlighting the need for operations and maintenance plans to ensure project sustainability. Subproject selection processes were deemed consultative and aligned with local development priorities.
Monitoring and supervision during implementation were conducted by core Council staff and community stakeholders. Environmental and social screenings were also rigorously undertaken to comply with World Bank standards.
Immediate outcomes of completed subprojects include increased school enrollment, improved access to healthcare, enhanced living conditions for public servants, and better revenue generation in certain areas.
Action points and recommendations derived from the monitoring findings include the development of reporting templates, submission of completion reports, and the establishment of comprehensive monitoring plans for future grant rounds.
Moving forward, the PMU, Ministry of Finance, and the World Bank’s technical team will continue to provide support to ensure the successful implementation of subsequent rounds of Local Development Grants.
The joint field visits represent a crucial step towards enhancing transparency, accountability, and service delivery at the local level, ultimately contributing to improved governance and development outcomes across the country.
