Chairman, Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities
By Buba Gagigo
The Chairman, Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA), Landing B. Sanneh said his association considered ‘contrary to the dictates of Local Government Act, 2002 and the powers vested on Basse Area Councils by the Act’, President Adama Barrow’s announcement to put under the purview of the regional Governor, the allocation of stalls at Basse market.
“His Excellency Adama Barrow officially inaugurated the newly constructed Basse market in the Upper River Region (URR), where he made a precedential announcement that the Governor of URR will be responsible for the allocation of the stalls at the market. We the Local Government Authorities of The Gambia, comprising Chairmen and Mayors of all the eight Area, Municipal and City Councils, have considered this announcement by the President as contrary to the dictates of Local Government Act, 2002 and the powers vested on Basse Area Council by the Act,” Mr Sanneh said
The chairman said Barrow’s announcement has the potential of destabilizing and compromising smooth relations between the Upper River Region Governor’s Office and Basse Area Council, as well as Governors and councils in other regions.
“Lest we forget, Central Government interferences/chaos in Local Government matters is becoming prominent, with particular reference to the Banjul City Council Street Project, the Kanifing Municipal Council ‘Mbalit’ Project and their CEO saga.
“The attacks on the Chairman and his office at the Basse Area Council, particularly relating to the same market project is seriously opposed to modern administrative protocols and must be avoided completely for not only respectable working environment, but for nurturing of peace and tranquility as well as fostering effective service delivery for the interest of the taxpayers. With the recurrences of such actions, it is unfortunate to see the leaders who are supposed to be the chief protectors of the law, now sidelining the law,” he continued.
He added that the Ministry of Lands and Regional Governments should have advised the President accordingly, to prevent such.
“The Ministry of Lands and Regional Governments should have better advised the President accordingly, to prevent such actions. It is almost unbelievable that the Central Government has taken away some vital revenue earning sources that Councils were managing and controlling within their LGAs, such as Sand Mining, Cattle Tax and Licensee and this is seriously affecting the development of Councils. Now, what will be left with the Councils, if the allocation of market canteens is also taken away by the Government?
“It is clear that the functions of Councils and Governors cannot inter-change at this stage of our country’s development. In fact, how and why should Governors be given such responsibilities, when we are claiming to reform and promote effective Local governance? Is the Government really serious about effective Local Governance and Decentralization, let alone the long awaiting Local Government Reforms? Considering the functions and responsibilities of Basse Area Council, as per the Local Government Act 2002, the President’s decision to assign the URR Governor to lead the allocation of canteens at the new Basse market is by far, one of the highest infringements of the legally mandated functions of the Councils, alongside the unwarranted humiliation of the person of Chairman Danjo,” GALGA chairman said.
The chairman continued that such actions by the Barrow are unfashionable and not in fact, a best practice in maturely organized public institutional settings and the action of the Minister of Works and Infrastructure in failing to recognise the Basse Area Council chairman at the gathering during the inauguration (of the Basse market) as Master of Ceremony was unfortunate and considered as a deliberate act that do not only attempt to undermine the authority of the (Basse Area Council) Chairman, but the authority of the people of Basse Local Government Area.
“Such should not really have happened. With all these occurrences, one would wonder and ask, if the system that is supposed to promote, protect and support you becomes your threat and bully, what will be the potential outcomes, moving into the future? What have the Local Government Authorities done to the Central Government to deserve this trending situation since 2019? We do not expect the President and his Government to be our enemies, because we are inseparable. But we believe Local Government Authorities are legally established to perform roles and responsibilities for the interest of the greater people of our areas which should always be recognized, regardless of occasional internal frictions. Currently, the tremendous development projects being initiated and implemented by all Councils across the country is clearly manifesting the progressive efforts of the LGAs. Such is unprecedented and for the first time in the history of Local Government Administration in The Gambia. Why are such efforts not cherished and celebrated by the Government, rather than the continuous chaotic attacks that are avoidable, if we embrace collaboration and complementary approaches to deliver the goods that we are assigned to do by the people of The Gambia?
“We therefore request the President, His Excellency Adama Barrow to please kindly rescind his decision and restrain the Governor of URR from taking the responsibility of allocating canteens at the Basse Market. That is what is desirable for good governance and the promotion of sustained peaceful working relations among the authorities of the Basse Area. Also, we are also requesting all stakeholders within the Local Government ecosystem to desist from taking such decisions against Local Government Authorities in the future. Let us all uphold the spirit of the law and the principles of effective Local Governance and Decentralization. Furthermore, maximally utilize our line Ministry of Lands and Regional Governments,” GALGA Chairman Landing B. Sanneh, who doubles as Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council said in a statement today at a press conference held at the GALGA office in Latrikunda Sabiji.
The Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) comprises the Chairmen and Mayors of all the eight Area, Municipal and City Councils in the Gambia.