By Binta Jaiteh
The Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Talib Bensouda, has said redeployment of council officials without following due process contravenes the Local Government Act (LGA).
According to Mr. Bensouda, the practice of transferring officials without consideration of due process does not serve the council’s interest in terms of performance andhe therefore urged FPAC to deal with the issue forthwith.
Appearing before FPAC on Wednesday as the KMC presented its activity report and 2022-2023 financial report to the committee, Bensouda described the arbitrary transfer of council staff as a grave cause for concern.
He explained that the LGA dictates that for a council official to be redeployed, the council’s establishment committee must be consulted or a recommendation sought from it.
He pointed out that the council’s deputy CEO was asked to transfer but he went against it and it was rescinded, adding that summary transfer of staff affects quality service delivery.
FPAC member Sulayman Jammeh said “it is high time they regularized everything” or else councils will not be able to deliver.
“We will engage the director of governance to sit together as a family and amicably solve this issue,” he added.
Meanwhile, FPAC adopted KMC’s 2020 and 2021 activity reports and financial statements with reservations.