The Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, in a written statement, has lashed out at the Ministry of Local Government for an attempt to forcefully reinstall the council’s suspended chief executive officer, who is alleged to have siphoned D12 million from the council.
Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda described the Ministry’s attempt on Monday, by deploying personnel of the Police Intervention Unit to install the embattled CEO, as illegal, saying the Ministry continues to undermine the works of his council.
“KMC is under siege this morning! The PIU who are good partners to the council have communicated that they are under directive from the Executive Branch to install the CEO in her office who has been put on leave via council resolution after confessing to her crimes … this attempt is to install the CEO by the use of force therefore usurping the decision of the council!
“This is a new low (law) in our country and demonstrates why councils cannot function and how The Minister of Local Government continues to undermine councils’ autonomy. Sections of the law allow for dispute resolution between local and central government however this demonstration of brute force is an example of a dysfunctional society where rule of law doesn’t prevail,” Mayor Bensouda said.
“Today for the first time in history I saw national police shove and push against Municipal Police. A great shame orchestrated by the Executive. We have called an emergency general council (meeting) this morning. However, we will continue to exercise our powers which are directly drawn from the mandate of the people,” he added.
“I call on the President of the Republic who is head of the executive Branch to withdraw the police from council grounds and respect the decision of the council! I will continue to keep all updated as the matter unravels. I urge all residents of KM to continue to keep calm as the council tries to resolve the situation amicably.
“The PIU have arrived at the KMC this morning with the orders to forcefully enter and install the CEO who has confessed to illegal activities with the staff welfare association. The council this morning was expecting the inspectors from the ministry and we welcome their inspection of all staff on duty or leave however the attempt to forcefully get the said staff to resume duties against council resolution by the Ministry of Local Government is illegal,” he continued.
