KMC Trucks
By Buba Gagigo
The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has clarified the reasons behind Monday’s strike by truck drivers, attributing the action to discontent over new measures implemented by the administration and calls for the dismissal of KMC Mbalit Manager, Bakary B. Darboe.
The KMC explained that the strike stemmed from the introduction of a new system requiring petrol station owners to deal directly with the council for fuel allocation, rather than issuing fuel coupons to the truck drivers.
“The CEO has confirmed that there was a little issue in the morning regarding some of the truck drivers. They first complain that they don’t want to work with the Mbalit Manager and secondly the council used to give them coupons, and they realized that some of them are not using it for the purpose. So they came with a resolution that the drivers will now receive their fuel at the petrol station instead of receiving coupons.” KMC’s Acting PRO, Aisha Bah, told Kerr Fatou.
Bah further elaborated that the new arrangement ensures petrol stations work directly with the institution, eliminating intermediaries. However, some drivers expressed dissatisfaction, demanding the dismissal of Bakary B. Darboe.
“The petrol stations will be dealing directly with the institution instead of the drivers, which they are not happy with. Some of them came to work and said if Bakary B. Darboe (the Mbalit Manager) is not sacked, they will not work. The administrator was called and when they got there, they discussed and allowed people who wanted to continue working to do so and those who insisted left. Their main request is for the management to sack BB and administration feels BB is trying to put control and some of the drivers don’t want that,” Bah added.
The ‘Mbalit’ project is one of KMC’s flagship initiatives, aimed at revolutionizing waste management within the municipality. The project has employed numerous drivers since its inception and focuses on eradicating illegal dumpsites while establishing a sustainable and efficient waste collection system.