Three-Day Legal Review Workshop on Draft Country Planning Regulations Gets Underway in Bureh

-The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning commenced a three-day Legal Review Workshop on Draft Country Planning Regulations at Companero Resort, Bureh.

The workshop, running from 3 to 5 September 2026, brings key stakeholders from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, local councils, the Ministry of Finance, the World Bank, Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP), and other relevant institutions to critically review and validate the Draft Country Planning Regulations.

The exercise ensures that the proposed Regulations fully align with the National Country Planning Act 2025, providing the necessary legal and institutional framework for effective country planning administration implementation across Sierra Leone.

Senior Assistant Secretary Ibrahim S. Kamara chaired the programme. Kamara described Regulation development as a crucial step in giving practical effect to the National Country Planning Act 2025. Regulations would establish detailed procedures and an implementation framework.

Kamara highlighted the Ministry's preparations for devolving selected country planning functions to local councils. Ministry plans to train local council personnel to build capacity to effectively perform devolved functions. Country Planning Directorate personnel would deploy to various local councils, providing technical support, guidance, and assistance during the devolution implementation process.

Core workshop objective: finalising and validating Draft Regulations ahead of subsequent processes including printing, gazetting, and parliamentary ratification submission. Kamara encouraged participants to make constructive, meaningful contributions, stressing a robust regulatory framework capable of standing the test.

STAKEHOLDERS STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION

The workshop featured partner institution representatives emphasising the importance of collaboration in strengthening Sierra Leone's country planning system.

Ministry of Finance representative expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Lands' collaboration in reviewing the Town and Country Planning Act and finalising accompanying Regulations. Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP) worked closely with the Ministry of Lands since project inception, with the Ministry represented on the Project Technical Committee governance structure.

RUSLP supported the Ministry through capacity-building initiatives, including technical assistance and international planning consultant Dr. Passito engagement working with the Ministry planning division to strengthen urban planning capacity. The representative reaffirmed continued collaboration importance among Ministry Lands, Ministry Finance, local councils, and development partners to ensure successful country planning reform implementation.

DEPUTY MINISTER EMPHASISES LEGAL REVIEW IMPORTANCE

Deputy Minister Mrs. Phylis Kapu addressed participants, emphasising the importance of the legal review exercise. She stressed ensuring Draft Regulations are fully consistent with the National Country Planning Act 2025, noting that clear, practical, effective regulations are essential for translating Act provisions into meaningful country planning practices.

Deputy Minister encouraged stakeholders to actively participate in the review process, providing technical and legal inputs to strengthen the final document.

Director Country Planning, Mr. Sahr Mark Kanawa, presented an overview of the objectives and methodology following opening proceedings and participant introductions. The presentation outlined the legal review rationale and examination approach.

A major workshop component involved a clause-by-clause legal review of the Draft Country Planning Regulations, particularly institutional arrangement provisions. Provisions examined included Clause 4 pursuant to Section 7 subsection (1) and Clause 6 pursuant to Section 8 subsection (2). Participants reviewed planning committee composition and representation provisions, identifying amendments, clarifications, and replacement articles to ensure consistency with the National Country Planning Act 2025.

Discussions provided stakeholder observations, recommendations, and amendment proposal opportunities, ensuring the Regulations are clear, practical, and capable of effectively supporting Act implementation.

World Bank, local council, Ministry of Finance, and RUSLP representatives actively participated in deliberations.

The first day concluded with extensive stakeholder contributions, with clause-by-clause examination continuing, and additional Draft Regulation provisions scheduled.

Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning remains committed to a thorough, participatory, inclusive review process, contributing to a strong, practical, effective country planning regulatory framework.

Finalised Regulations are expected to provide greater clarity on the implementation of the National Country Planning Act 2025, supporting ongoing decentralisation and strengthening of country planning functions nationwide.