The Ministry of Local Government, Regional Administration and Lands has urged the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), to rescind the recent suspension of the officials of council’s involved in an alleged corrupt practices.
The ministry urged that the powers to suspend and discipline Local Government officials and staff of the councils are vested with the Local Government Service Commission in accordance with section 150 of the Local Government act. This development according to the Ministry has been reached at after receiving recommendations forwarded by the KMC Mayor as well as a petition received from the suspended CEO of the Kanifing Municipal Council.
Last week, KMC Talib Ahmed Bensuda, Mayor of KMC held a press conference at the Council’s Chambers where he disclosed that the Council has decided to suspend the services of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sainabou Martin-Sonko and Director of Finance, Dr. Alieu Keita, declaring that the duo have embarked on an illegal financial transaction amounting to D12million by means of forging signatures of the council officials to obtained bank loans without the knowledge of the council.
He revealed that after a general councillors meeting, council decided to suspend and put on leave the CEO and the Financial Director till further notice.
He also disclosed that the case has been reported to the police and an investigation has been launched by the council to dive under the crux of the matter.
He further informed the press that council will leave no stone unturned in unearthing corruption and corrupt officials have no place to work at KMC, revealing that the matter have also been reported to the Ministry of Local Government with recommendations for the duos dismissal and disciplinary action be taken to avert corruption.
However, in a letter obtained by The Voice Newspaper signed by Musa Drammeh, Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, dated 2nd August, 2021, copied to Attorney General, Secretary General and Head of Civil Servants, Chairperson Local Government Commission, Chairman National Assembly Select Committee , Director of Local Government, Sainabou Martin- Sonko CEO (KMC), Bakary Jawo, Department Director for Compliance (KMC), Babucarr Sanyang, Assistant Rates Manager and Mam Kaba Bass, Supervisor Debt Collection (KMC), stated that Ministry of Local Government and Lands has urged the Kanifing Municipal Council to put on hold the suspension of the affected official, while disclosing that it will embark on an inspection of the council beginning on Tuesday 3rd August, 2021.
“Having regard for the Local Government Act and having discussed this matter and taken advice from my administrative and governance team on the very serious issues that have been raised in the said letter under reference, the Ministry has decided to call for an inspection of the Kanifing Municipality Council (the council) in accordance with section 150 of the Local Government Act.
He added: ” The decision has been taken for a number of reasons: First a petition has been received by the Ministry from the CEO and other staff of the council claiming fraud from the ex- Deputy Mayor and the cover-up of the said fraud. Additionally, the CEO and Director of Finance, also denied any wrongdoing in the said petition and have taken strong objection to the decision by the council to put them in an indefinite leave,” Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs disclosed in the letter.
It continued to disclosed that it has noted with concerns the recommendations embedded in the letter send by the KMC, suggesting that the CEO and the Financial Director to be terminated immediate and the decision to put them on indefinite leave, adding that this decision is not in line with Local Government act and hence called for rescinding such a decision taken by KMC.
“The Ministry is concerned that the decisions taken did not accord with the laws that govern the council, as you are aware, the appointing and disciplinary authority of the public officer and director of finance is the Local Government Service Commission. The council can make recommendations to the said Service Commission but cannot as has been done to usurp the powers of the commission and it is important to foster adherence to the rule of law premise on natural justice and good governance,” the letter noted.
It added: “In the circumstances, whilst a decision has been made by the appropriate authority, kindly ensure that the CEO and the Finance Director and other public officers as well all other staff members who will be need to be spoken to are made available to fully participate in the inspection exercise.
The letter urges KMC Mayor to immediately withdraw his suspension of the affected officials and made an appropriate recommendation to the Local Government Service Commission, adding that once proper recommendations are presented to the Service Commission right steps will be taken to address the matter. Ministry finally disclosed that the inspection of KMC will start by Tuesday 3rd August, 2021, as a matter of urgency.
