At least three local governments Chairperson have raised eyebrows on the dwindling declines in area council’s revenue generation initiatives since the coronavirus pandemic hits the country, a situation they said needs urgent government bailout.
The Chairpersons of Kuntaur Area Council, Saihou Jawara, Basse Area Council, Foday Danjo and Mansa Konko Area Council, Landing Sanneh have all raised concerns one the declined, attributing it to the State of Public Emergency measures that resulted to the closure of Lumos and other business outlets that are only allows to operate for some hours of the day.
According to them, coronavirus pandemic has hit their main sources of income very hard leaving councils in despicable situations. According to them if councils are left unattended by the central government most of them will not be able to pay their salaries in the next few months’ time.
“I’m really expecting government support to the councils at this situation, which I think is not a favour to the councils but a responsibility on the part of the government in such an unforeseen circumstances if we are to be able to carry out any development initiative for our people,” said Chairman Landing Sanneh, Mansakonko Area Council.
According to him, councils across the country are in dire needs of support from not only the central government but any other institutions, organisations and private citizens, disclosing that the financial muscles of the councils have been cut-off by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Councils are not only expecting support from government alone but equally from other organisations that are interested in the welfare of the people of The Gambia,” Chairman Sanneh noted.
Saihou Jawara of Kuntaur Area Council Chairman chronicling the level of damage the pandemic has cause to his chairmanship, revealing that if government failed to bailout councils it will be very difficult for councils to meet their expectations.
“I want to urge the government to provide subventions to the councils, this will help the councils to be able to do their works effectively. I can tell you right now all the councils are in distress as far as revenue generation is concern, revenue generation has collapsed woefully for the council and without revenue, councils are finish,” Chairman Kuntaur Area Council revealed.
According to him, Gambian Government has let down the councils for closing down all Lumos in the country without taking into account the livelihoods of the councils and the rural people who entirely depend on the Lumos for their survivals.
“Lumos are the life blood of the people of the provinces as well as the councils for revenue generation. With the closure of these Lumos, I can tell you 90% of revenue generation of councils across the country is lost,” Chairman Jawara noted.
He added that “Government is not fair to us at all because if they can allow Serrekunda, Brikama and other Markets within the Greater Banjul to operate, I see no reason why they cannot allow lumos to operate even if it means observing social distancing, limiting it to only those within the country as well as providing washing hand buckets.”
Chairman Foday Danjo of Basse Area Council also added his voice to the concerns of his colleagues arguing that his Chairmanship depends more on revenue generated from the six Lumos that operates in the area. He added that councils are finding it difficult to follow businesses to comply with their tax obligations as most of the businesses are only allowed to operate from 6am -6pm.
“Since the start of the covid-19, we have lost all our sources of revenues including the revenues accrued from the Lumo and this has post quite a lot of difficulties for us. At this moment councils have no option but to appeal to the government for support,” he said.
According to him, the Basse market was burnt to ashes which was our major source of revenue for the council, the advent of the covid-19 exposed the council further, thus, making it difficult for the daily operations of the council.
“Honestly, if this covid-19 situations goes any further we (Basse Area Council) will not be able to pay salaries because all our sources of revenues are closed down,” said Chairman Foday Danjo.
