Chiefs want Tribal Council Board reconstituted

There is growing concern among traditional leaders here as to when President George Manneh Weah’s Government will reconstitute the Tribal Council Board under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

Speaking to this paper over the weekend, a local paramount chief of Bong County McGill Vuku called on President Weah to see reason to reconstitute the Tribal Council Board to bridge the gap between the government and the rural people.

Paramount Chief Vuku wonders why MIA is yet to set up the Tribal Council Board which has the mandate to query President Weah and lawmakers at the Legislature.

He discloses that the alleged prolonged refusal by government to reconstitute the board reminds local authorities of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who allegedly declined to constitute the Tribal Council Board for fear that it would have queried her administration about several misdeeds.

According to him, members of the Tribal Council Board are recommended by clan and paramount chiefs to represent the interest of local dwellers in the provision of development to their respective localities.

Chief Vuku clarifies that the Tribal Council Board is not enemy of the government but ensures coordination between the board and government in addressing the problems faced by the rural people.

He adds that the Tribal Council Board also assists the government in resolving sensitive traditional issues and recommends a way forward.The traditional chief maintains that as a result of the absence of the Tribal Council Board, there are violations on the part of some local dwellers which cannot be probed.

This paper could not get a comment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs as the public affairs section could not be reached via mobile phone.

By Emmanuel Mondaye–Edited by Winston W. Parley