Since independence, several initiatives have been taken to further develop local government
as a potential partner for development. These include the establishment of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs in 1990 and the passing of the Fono Act 1991, and the Internal Affairs Act
1995. The Ministry was later reduced to a Division of Internal Affairs and Rural
Development (DIRD) within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development
following the restructuring of government departments in 2005. At present DIRD is working
closely with partner agencies including CLGF and UNDP in strengthening capacity for
decision-making in local government