The Government has directed removal of three council leaders elected on UDP ticket after accepting adverse findings of improper behaviour, negligence and abuse of office in its White Paper on the Local Government Commission of Inquiry.
Government entered formal records of oversight failures against KMC Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, BCC Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe and Mansakonko Chairman Landing B. Sanneh, and referred their cases to respective General Councils to initiate removal under Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act 2002, stating conduct was inconsistent with good governance and that weak enforcement, not legislative gaps, enabled mismanagement.
Government on Friday published the Report of the Commission into all Local Government Councils and White Paper. The Commission was established in February 2023 by President under Section 200 of Constitution and Legal Notice No. 7 of 2023 to inquire into administration, governance, financial management and use of public resources by eight Councils: Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama, Kerewan, Mansakonko, Kuntaur, Janjanbureh and Basse.
On Bensouda, Commission recommended economic crime, surcharge, legislative review, fitness for public office review, improper behaviour and negligence.
Government said, regarding fitness review, due to improper behaviour, negligence, abuse of office and failure in supervisory role, it entered formal record of oversight failures against Bensouda as political head.
It referred matter to Council to initiate removal on basis of misconduct or abuse of office under Section 20(1) of Local Government Act 2002 as amended.
On Lowe, Commission also recommended economic crime, surcharge, legislative review, fitness review, improper behaviour and negligence.
Government said it accepts legislative review recommendation but holds existing legal framework sufficiently addressed governance and financial management, noting no legislative gaps but weak enforcement.
It referred matter to General Council to remove Lowe for improper behaviour, negligence and failure in oversight, and entered formal record of improper behaviour and failure in oversight against her.
On Chairman Sanneh, Commission recommended economic crime review, surcharge, legislative review, fitness review and improper behaviour and negligence.
Government said it considers fitness review, noting Sanneh acknowledged major governance failures, admitted key financial practices occurred without Council approval, and accepted existence of unresolved audit findings and internal control weaknesses.
"Since Mr. Sanneh is occupying elected office, Government directs General Council to review his fitness to hold such public office in accordance with relevant laws and take necessary action. Given admissions, such review would be reasonable and in public interest," White Paper stated.
It added even if criminal conduct is not established, evidence suggests conduct inconsistent with good governance and failure to exercise level of care reasonably expected, and directed Council to remove him based on misconduct or negligence under Section 20(1) of Local Government Act 2002.
Government said publication fulfils commitment to accountability in local governance.
