By Buba Gagigo
MC Cham Jr., a Business Councillor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and a prominent member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has strongly criticized President Barrow’s remarks accusing opposition leader Ousainou Darboe of corruption. He labeled the president’s comments as “the pot calling the kettle black.”
“Mr. President, Your recent statement directed at the opposition leader, H.E. Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, accusing opposition-elected local government officials of corruption based on testimonies from the ongoing commission of inquiry, appears to be a case of “the pot calling the kettle black,” considering the levels of corruption exposed by the National Audit Office within your own government. To clarify, Mr. President, the ongoing commission has not found fault with any elected mayor or council chairman across the regions, except for the former NPP Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Sheriffo Sonko. Are you aware of this?” MC Cham Jr. asked.
Cham further argued that the president’s statements were misinformed.
“So far, only civil servants appointed by the Local Government, per the local government act, and PMO have been implicated, according to the testimonies we have all heard. These individuals are employees hired by the central government and the Ministry of Local Government and Lands, which are under your direct oversight and that of your ministers. Local government councils have no authority to hire or discipline these officials. Are you aware of this, Mr. President?” he asked.
He emphasized that the public should await the commission’s final report to see how President Barrow will respond to its recommendations.
“Under your administration, you have previously ignored the recommendations of the Janneh Commission, the TRRC, and the National Audit Reports, wasting taxpayers’ money in the process. We had hoped that your government would avoid further waste by not duplicating the work of the National Audit Office and the Local Government Service Commission, which had already uncovered corrupt practices among senior public servants in both central and local government,” MC Cham Jr said.
Cham Jr. also reminded the president that all local government employees fall under the responsibility of the Local Government Service Commission, which operates under his leadership.
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