In a solidarity statement, the KM mayor argued that rather than acting unilaterally, the State should have engaged BCC in meaningful dialogue regarding their planned investments in McCarthy Square.
His statement reads below in full:
The notion that the seizure of McCarthy Square from the Banjul City Council (BCC) by the State is justified by an alleged lack of resources on the part of the Council is misguided and directly contradicts the government's stated decentralization policy. The government's "National Policy for Decentralisation and Local Development (2015-2024)" explicitly aims to empower local governments, promote active citizen participation, and enhance service delivery by devolving both powers and resources to local authorities.
Rather than acting unilaterally, the State should have engaged BCC in meaningful dialogue regarding their planned investments in McCarthy Square. Such collaborative engagement could have facilitated resource-sharing or even prompted the State to fulfill its longstanding obligation of disbursing owed subventions—amounting to hundreds of millions—to support municipal development. This cooperation is especially critical given McCarthy Square’s proximity to the most significant national installation, the State House.
While local governments maintain autonomy, their effectiveness relies heavily on being treated as respected partners by the central government. Cooperation, collaboration, and open communication are essential for meaningful progress. Unfortunately, the abrupt seizure of McCarthy Square reflects none of these critical governance values.
Local Authorities across The Gambia—irrespective of political affiliation—face systemic administrative and governance bottlenecks that hinder progress. These include:
- Limited control over human resources preventing councils from effectively managing recruitment, remuneration, and disciplinary processes.
- Titleover community assets restricting development opportunities and discouraging potential investments.
- Legislative barriers to municipal financing limiting the councils’ ability to raise municipal bonds or secure significant external funding necessary for impactful projects.
- Inability to conduct property valuations independently due to the Rates Act requiring central government assessments every five years, which have not occurred since 2005.
- Non-payment of subventions. Local councils are owed hundreds of millions in unpaid subventions dating back two decades. Recent minimal payments appear intended merely to pacify rather than support genuine development.
These issues underscore deeper systemic problems that have long impeded local government efficacy and community advancement.
I stand firmly in solidarity with Mayor Rohey Lowe, Deputy Mayor Aziz Gaye, and the entire Banjul City Council in opposing this act of executive overreach. Together, we will continue to advocate for transformational local government reforms essential to building a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous nation.
