|
Momodou
Denmark
11785 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Nov 2013 : 21:17:43
|
25% DEVELOPMENT BUDGET NOT FORTHCOMING
By Abdoulie G. Dibba
Published on Monday, 11 November 2013
The six area councils in the Gambia namely; Brikama Area Council, Kerewan Area Council, Kuntuar Area Council, Janjanbureh Area Council, Basse Area Council and Mansakonko Area Council have not been receiving 25 percent of their development budget from the Central Government as dictated by section 128(3) of the Local Government Act. Councillors in all the Area Councils visited by Activista in their ‘Right to Food Campaign,’ have indicated that though there are obligations for them to fulfill with regard to the development and welfare of the inhabitants within their respective jurisdictions, it will be difficult if not impossible for them to do so in the face of contracted revenue base and the failure of the Central Government to honour section 128(3) of the Local Government Act. The Nationwide ‘Right to Food Campaign’ overall goal was to work with smallholder farmers, youths and Councillors to creating a forum that creates a platform for dialogue with the ultimate expectation of addressing issues of hunger by empowering young people and women farmers to engage with policy makers to claim their rights; empowering and giving them the opportunity to speak openly about their needs and rights to policy makers for fulfillment and with the intended impact of these fora to ensure that there is regional( Area Councils) budgetary allocation on farmers’ needs.
According to the Councillors, section 128(3) of the Local Government Act stated that “The Central Government shall provide twenty-five per cent of the Council’s development budget.” This is not forthcoming and our revenue base is being narrowed down, said the councillors. They however questioned how they could fulfill all their obligations. FOROYAA will approach the Central Government to find out their take on this important development issue.
Source: Foroyaa
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
