Freetown: Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh urged paramount chiefs nationwide Tuesday, calling for stronger traditional leadership as peace, security and development efforts advance. Speaking during the second day of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference on Security and Governance at Bo-Kenema Highway Hall, Jalloh said traditional rulers remain essential to stability within their chiefdoms and to the country's broader governance agenda. According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the conference is being held under the theme, 'Strengthening Chieftaincy for National Security and Governance.' The Vice President, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance, thanked the Ministry of Local Government for organizing the event and described it as an important forum for dialogue between the government and traditional authorities. He said the gathering allows paramount chiefs to present their expectations to the government while also clarifying their responsibilities in support of national security, governance, and development. 'Paramount Chiefs are the custodians of peace and security in their chiefdoms, so they have to take security issues very seriously,' Jalloh said. He urged the chiefs to back government development programmes, especially in education, healthcare, infrastructure and investment, stressing that progress depends not only on state action but also on cooperation with private investors and other development partners. However, the Vice President also called for an inclusive and effective chieftaincy system, pointing to concerns surrounding legitimacy, boundary limitations and residency requirements for paramount chiefs. He encouraged traditional leaders to work closely with state institutions to improve service delivery and strengthen revenue mobilization for local development. 'The Paramount Chiefs are direct representatives of their communities and key partners in ensuring that development reaches the people,' he said. Jalloh said the conference also o ffers a valuable chance for traditional leaders from across Sierra Leone to engage one another, exchange experiences and reinforce national unity. 'This is a space for engagement, interaction and learning. When Paramount Chiefs from Falaba can meet with Paramount Chiefs from Kono, sit together, share experiences and understand each other, it promotes unity and national cohesion,' he said.