It would be recalled that members of the committee recently embarked on a condcuted tour to various units as part of its oversight function to access the work, challenges and successes of units under its purview.
Laying the report before parliament, Sulayman Jammeh, chairperson of the Committee and member for Bundungka Kunda, said the reason for the tour was to interact with officials of the Lands Ministry at the regions, as well as traditional leaders on the mode of operation of the councils and departments.
“To also assess the number and types of projects initiated and managed by the Ministry in each Region, to receive updates and firsthand information on the ongoing projects of the Councils and their source of funding, and to identify the challenges and a possible way forward for effective service delivery.”
The committee further recommended that government should provide salaries for the Court members and the Badge messengers, instead of allowances.
They also recommended the need for government to provide uniforms and mobility for the badge messengers.
“Train Chiefs and court members for better decision-making during proceedings. Provide vehicles for the Chiefs to visit their respective areas and run other official errands. The Police should enforce the verdicts of the Chiefs.”
They also called on government to revaluate property taxes and rates and the need for Central Government to pay 25% subvention as established by the Local Government Act.
“The government through the Ministry, should revisit the obsolete Land Acts and Land Banking. Councils should benefit from the activities of Sand / Gravel mining and sign and Billboard within their respective regions.”
