Handing over the award which included a Certificate, signed by the President of JICA, Schiniki Kitaoka, Clock and Fan to the minister, Mr. SUGIMOTO, thanked the ministry for enhancing the socio-economic development of the two countries and giving them the opportunity to familarise themselves with the importance of social cohesion and stability in war affected communities. He disclosed that the gesture was the first to be made in Sierra Leone relating to the project. “We are proud of your contribution to the development of the capacities of people engage in rural development through training programmes not only in Sierra Leone but also in Japan, especially, the work of the CDCCD Project Management team”, He said. Giving a brief historical sketch of the project, Mr. SUGIMOTO said since the establishment of the project’s Field Office in Sierra Leone in 2005, they have implemented Technical Cooperation Projects as well as Grant in Aid Projects in the fields of Agriculture, Health, Education, and Water Supply Energy. The overall goal of the CDCD Project, which started in 2009, he added, is to enhance development of capacities of the Ministry of Local Government, District Councils in PortLoko and Kambia including Ward Committees in the Northern Region. The project, he said also engaged in the implementation of Community based programmes such as the rehabilitation of community infrastructures like Water Wells, Schools, Health Centres and minor feeder roads among others.   He noted that the CDCD Project is expected to end in February 2019, although they are considering restarting the programme following an appeal by government to extend it to other regions. To ensure a successful implementation of the project, Mr. SUGIMOTO said Sierra Leone and Japan have jointly developed Rules and Regulations for the procurement of goods and services dubbed, The Local Councils Development Operational Guidelines. The Head of JICA Field Office pointed out that the project was interrupted during the advent of the Ebola crisis while it was been implemented in Kambia in 2014, adding that it however continued, following the end of the Epidemic with a Post –Ebola Programme. He was pleased that the JICA and the Ministry of Local Government have built a very strong mutual relationship and trust and hoped it will continue so that others will benefit. Receiving the Award, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Anthony Brewah, on behalf of his ministry, thanked the Government and People of Japan for their continued contribution to the socio-economic development of the country. He assured JICA of his ministry’s unwavering determination and willingness to cooperate with them in promoting the development aspirations of both countries and looked forward to the successful implementation of the project in other parts of the country. Present at the ceremony were, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Philip Tetemah Tondoneh, JICA Project Advisor, Kochi OTSUKA and a cross section of Senior Management Staff of the ministry.