By Yusupha Jobe& Sulayman Waan
Madi Jorbateh, a human rights activist has reacted to the dismissal of Lamin Darboe- former executive director of National Youth Council as unlawful.
Lamin Darboe who served the position for six years got sacked by the ministry of youth and sports Wednesday.
“Section 13 of the National Youth Council act gives authority to the President to appoint the executive secretary in consultation with the council and the Public Service Commission. The entire act did not speak about the removal of the executive secretary,” Jorbateh said.
He said section 231 sub-sections 5 of the constitution gives power to a person or authority to appoint adding which does also involved the power to dismiss any one citing that as section 231 sub-section 4 indicates that the person or authority who appoints in consultation has no power to dismiss with any further consultation before any sacking.
“However, we know that based on section 231 (5) of the constitution a person given the power or authority to appoint dose also includes the power to dismiss. In fact, section 231 sub-section 4 indicates that the person or authority who appoints in consultation with another person is not required to sack any person with due consultations,” he said.
He added: “This means the President can indeed sack Lamin Darboe without having to consult the council or the personnel service commission or take their advice. But the need to consult only relates to appointment alone. The procedures for dismissal are not stated in the NYC act. This means there is a huge gap in the act which is prone to abuse.”
Mr Jorbateh also said the dismissal letter of the executive secretary cannot come from the ministry of youth and sports arguing that the letter should have come from the office of the President or the chair of the National youth council.
“The letter of dismissal of the National Youth Council is illegal. This is because such letter of dismissal should have come from the President Office or chair of the National Youth Council. I there for urged Lamin Darboe to challenge his sacking, “he said.
Youth condemn sacking of NYC boss
Dozens of youth condemned the dismissal of National Youth Council acting executive director as they demand his immediate reinstatement.
Lamin Darboe was fired on June 24 by the ministry of youth and sports. But no reason [s] was specified on his letter of dismissal.
NYC’s program manager Alhagie Jarju has been asked to oversee the position for the time being.
Kawsu Fadera wrote on his Facebook: “In Solidarity with our Executive Director, Lamin Mokendeh Darboe, one strategy of a government trying to perpetuate itself into power is getting rid of civil servants working in the interest of their people with no political. The firing of top civil servants has become a culture in this country and if not all most of them are politically motivated.
“Firing Lamin Darboe will not help your political engender, instead you have pick up a fight with the most powerful sector of the society (the youth),” he added.
Alagie Ndow wrote: “They are playing with the country most especially youths.”
Suma W. Jadama, wrote: “Sacking Lamin Darboe is a slap on the faces of the youth folk not only in the Gambia but globally.
Amadou S Jammeh also wrote: “It’s the government that changes but the same system is what is rolling just like a Ball.
And Muhammed MS Bah wrote “here is a need to amend the National Youth Council Act, youth should decide who leads them and not the executive.
He added: “If the President can appoint ministers, there should be no interference. With the youth council. Anything for the Youth, Without the Youth is not for the Youth.”