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Momodou
Denmark
11737 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 16:57:08
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Legislators Split Over Amendment of Local Government Act
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The extra-ordinary meeting of the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 31, has been marred by a polarized debate among members over the amendments of the Local Government Act.
These amendments in the law will disqualify the election of local government chairpersons, excluding mayors and mayoress, by universal adult suffrage but councillors would now select them from among themselves. The amendments of the Local Government Act followed an amendment of the 1997 constitution, which paved the way.
Ismaila Sambou, the Secretary of State for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs said: “Due to the need for faster decision making in council and for a more rapid and more responsive implementation of the decentralisation process, the Department of State wishes also to propose the amendment of the relevant sections of the Local Government Act 2002 to reflect the need for, the President to have the power to remove the Mayor/Chairman, Deputy Mayor/Chairman or other members of council”.
Mr. Sambou said these amendments seek to provide the dissolution of councils ninety days before Local Government Elections and the setting up of interim management teams by the president to oversee the affairs of councils until the scheduled elections.
Contributing to the debate on the amendment, Sidia Jatta, the member for Wuli West said changing the law is tantamount to assassinating the sovereignty of the people.
“Somebody elected into office can be removed by one individual. What is the essence?” Mr. Jatta asked.
He asked his fellow legislators to come to terms with the reality of whether they want to empower the people or disempower them.
Jatta went on to say that the electorate should be left to manage their own affairs and in this case they should elect their own council chairpersons rather than somebody else electing and another firing those chairpersons.
He likens the piecemeal amendment of the Act as an approach towards autocracy and dictatorship. The Wuli West representative wondered why his colleagues are always effecting unnecessary amendments as if they do not know where they are heading to.
“This is a conspiracy against The Gambian people and I for one do not subscribe to it,” he said.
The minority leader and member for Kiang West, Momodou Sanneh also objected to the amendment of the Local Government Act. Mr. Sanneh said his objection to the bill is not that they are on the minority side but they need to look at things with a critical eye.
He said that being a law making body, the National Assembly Members regardless of political differences should study every law critically before imposing it on the people.
Babanding Daffeh, the member for Kiang Central said, the electorate should maintain both the right to elect and remove council chairpersons. Mr. Daffeh said giving the president those powers will effect a concentration of too much power on one person.
Pa Jallow of Jarra Central also raised objection to the bill, saying that there are many things the Assembly should look into.
Mr. Jallow’s statement was abruptly halted by the speaker who ordered that he sticks to the topic before hand.
When he was given chance to speak again, the parliamentarian said, “Madam Speaker with these few remarks personally I am not in support of this bill”.
However, the rest of the deputies from the ruling APRC party gave their support to the amendment.
Adama Cham of Kombo North said democracy is a process that changes as it goes, thereby defining and refining.
Mr. Cham said democracy is not being hijacked but the president should be given the power to fire people who have not delivered.
Netty Baldeh of Tumana said the amendment is due and should be effected.
Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Mama Kandeh, members for Foni Kansala and Jimara respectively gave support to the amendment.
The Bill was eventually passed by the National Assembly.
See next issue for commentary.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 129/2007, 2 – 4 November 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 18:41:34
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What a big shame!
Cowards, Cowards, cowards, or should I call them ignorants!
How can the national assembly sell our nation to Yaya Jammeh?
This is indeed not fair to even their own childreen.
How can they themselves be elected and yet deprive the electorates to elect their councilors, mayors ect.Given the president power to hire and fire everyone is what is making the Gambia what it is today.
Every one hired would normally steal quick before getting the boot.Thus no dedication to state and people.
Can't we realise that when workers are not protected, they careless about their work.
The Gambia is doomed!
I even wonder why the need for an election in the first place instead of allowing the Tail of state to choose who so ever he wishes just like he does for our chiefs and Alkalolus.
Thee state is just going to waist taxpayer's money organising such a bogus election which would never have the blessing of the people.Before the people would make their choise and the tail of state fires them in a criminal constitution, it is better he hires them so that he can fire them constitutionally. |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 21:57:37
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| Since a long time, it has been such situation some of us detest and being the reason to reject Yahya Jammeh totally. The man is a bandit and needs to be tackled for good. He already caused big regrets for every Gambian. Selfishness on the side of other politicians (opposition if you like to call them ) is what fertilizes this Jammeh arrogance. How can a normal person choose to control everything when he is unable to handle even the smallest responsibility? Too much joke is damaging Gambia. |
Karamba |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 22:25:53
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But this should not be anything strange. Parliament has already voted into law, giving the President the powers to suspend Parliament indefinitely thereby fusing the powers of the Legislature and the Executive into one.
The only questioned asked in parliament was if Memebers would continue to receive their salaries while the House is under suspension. Once the answer was yes, the Bill passed without a hitch. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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Karl
136 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 23:44:43
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| I am not suprise at all, this parliament has just done what they do best. Being a Rubber Stamp Parliament, they are there for the private interest of their tyrannical dictator. I don't think this is ignorance alone, but through malice, the so called Law making authority once again robbed the nation with a senseless law, looking more to just one man's interest rather than the masses. With this law at hand Yahya Jammeh, as ever before will remain a threat to Gambian's liberty. Because political participation at all levels is an essencial condition of personal liberty but with such amendments to our constitution means just for him to dominate and enslave citizens whoes sovereignity is being hijacked in a broadday light. |
"People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster" J Baldwin |
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