The Kanifing Municipality Council has on Wednesday 4th August, 2021 defied the orders of the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs by denying the suspended Sainabou Martin Sonko and others who have been suspended on allegations of corruption entrance into the Council premises.
This development comes on the heel of an order issued to the Kanifing Municipality Council by the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs to allow suspended CEO, Sainabou Martin Sonko and other staff of the Council to resume duties on Monday, 2nd August, 2021.
However, yesterday, Wednesday, when the suspended CEO – Sainabou Martin Sonko, Babucarr Sanyang – Assistant Rates Manager and Mam Kaba Bass – Supervisor Debt Collection (KMC), appeared at the Kanifing Municipality Council to resume duties they were denied entry into the premises by the Municipality Police allegedly on the orders of Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensuda.
This decision to deny entrance to the suspended officials has gone contrary to the dictates of the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs who are asking for the rescinding of an earlier decision taken by the KMC, arguing that the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has no powers to suspend and discipline local government officials and staff of the council.
The Ministry of Lands also disclosed that the decision to suspend or discipline any council officials is vested with the Local Government Service Commission as in accordance with section 150 of the Local Government Act. The Ministry has also promised to start inspection of the Kanifing Municipality Council effect Tuesday, 3rd August, 2021.
Speaking to The Voice Newspaper amidst the denial of entrance to former CEO and others, Isatou Bah, Public Relations Officer of Kanifing Municipality Council has confirmed that the trio have been denied entry to the council premises based on the decisions of the General Council Meeting held last month.
“It is true that the suspended officials have been denied entry into the council premises by the Municipality Police based on the decision of the General Council Meeting. Council is not turning back on this decision of suspended official until the time that the police completed their investigations on their case,” KMC PRO disclosed.
Last week, KMC Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda 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, alleging that the duo have embarked on an illegal financial transaction amounting to D12million by means of forging signatures of the council officials to obtain bank loans without the knowledge of the council.
He revealed that after a General Councilors’ Meeting, Council have decided to suspend and put on leave the CEO and the Financial Director till further notice, adding 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 also informed the press that council will leave no stone unturned in unearthing corruption and corrupt officials have no place to work at KMC, noting 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.
