MoPED Kicks Off Development of Regulations for National Development-Induced Resettlement

-The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has launched work on regulations to enforce the National Development-Induced Resettlement Act, 2023.

Wednesday’s kickoff event at ministry headquarters drew Minister Kenyeh Barlay, Deputy Minister Rev. Dr Jonathan Titus-Williams, Development Secretary Ambrose James, Development Secretary I Usman Conteh, National Development-Induced Resettlement directorate officials, Millennium Challenge Account–Sierra Leone representatives, consultancy team members, and other stakeholders.

Minister Barlay called this effort historic. Act No. 20 of 2023 provides the legal backbone, she said, but regulations will clarify procedures for identifying affected people, consulting them, compensating fairly, and restoring livelihoods and living conditions.

She drew on directorate experience with FG Gold’s Baomahun project, Sierra Rutile’s Sembehun operation, Marampa Mines, and energy infrastructure schemes. Recurring issues include land valuation, compensation amounts, physical relocation, livelihood recovery, community participation, and grievance handling. Early integration of resettlement planning into project design and environmental assessments remains critical, she stressed.

Development Secretary Ambrose James, who chaired the session, described this launch as progress toward implementing the national framework. Since the act passed, MoPED has built directorate capacity, with MCA-SL funding consultants to draft regulations. James confirmed ministry commitment to meeting deadlines, noting these rules will shape ongoing and future investments, especially large infrastructure projects affecting communities.

Lead Consultant Oliver Barker-Vormawor reported that his team found overlaps and gaps between the Resettlement Act and other laws governing land acquisition and displacement. He urged stronger coordination across the Environmental Protection Agency, Lands Ministry, Agriculture Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Roads Authority to produce coherent regulation.

MCA-SL Chief Executive Ndeye Fatu Sesay pledged continued support, saying the framework will benefit energy, mining, and agricultural investments now and in the future.

Senior Planning Officer Adama delivered closing thanks, acknowledging stakeholder input.

This ceremony marks formal regulatory drafting. Participants stressed sustained teamwork among directorate staff, government bodies, MCA-SL, consultants, and partners to ensure practical, participatory rules responsive to community needs while offering project developers and investors greater predictability.