Buharry, it seems like our fears were reasonable and the chickens have come
home to roost - APRC at its best. Many on this list have stated that one
cannot be independent in thought and work in Jammeh's cabinet, and the happy
camp labeled us as disgruntled and sore losers. Well, why is Mafy dodging
Pa Sallah? This is the same Mafy that Pa Sallah mentioned on the eve of his
victory as a very good friend. Although my political leaning is opposed to
Mafy's, I however, expected him to respect the people's wishes, remember,
like he used to tell opposition supporters on the L, after the Presidential
elections. Having lived outside of the Gambia and exposed to better
governance standards, I also expected for him to at the very least meet with
Mr. Jeng to begin the transition process. Please read on.
From the independent
Banjul’s new Mayor yet to assume office
The handing over of the Banjul Mayorship is being mired in mystery as
reports speak of unexplained delays and intolerance for Mayor-elect Pa
Sallah Jeng. Pa Sallah Jeng who as an independent candidate caused a major
electoral upset by claiming the city’s Mayorship in the April 25th local
government election has been left desperately contemplating when he would to
be sworn-in and formally handed over the city’s mantle of leadership, which
he claimed from an APRC candidate, tipped as favourite for the post. Reports
suggest that since Jeng was elected, a state of isolation and indifference
has been applied on him by the relevant authorities who should facilitate
the transition process.
Reports described how Jeng has been placed in a ‘situation of twist and turn
like a common job seeker’. ‘This is undone. He won the city and he is the
Mayor. So why all this delay and isolation. There are a lot of things that
he has to do and they are definitely wasting his time. This is sabotage’ an
angry supporter of the Mayor-elect protested. When contacted on Thursday
Jeng explained that he had visited the Department of Local Government and
Lands over his assumption of office but was told that the Secretary of State
Manlaffy Jarju had traveled out of the country. According to him, upon SOS
Jarju’s return, he again tried to meet him but was told upon arrival at the
department last Thursday, that it was impossible for him to meet the SOS at
that moment.
He said he was told that SoS Jarju was quite indisposed to meet him because
he was engaged in a closed-door meeting. As I speak with The Independent
now, I am expecting a call from them to inform me of when to visit Jarju’ a
dejected-sounding but calmly mannered Mayor Jeng said last week. Asked how
he felt about the whole situation, Jeng said, ‘I don’t want to feel
aggrieved at this point. It’s good to be patient, so I will not make an
issue out of it at the moment but whatever the outcome of the meeting, the
people will know’.
The out-of-office Mayor said he has been rescheduled to meet Jarju tomorrow
Tuesday May 14. According to him, the SOS had earlier told him that he was
on his first day at work after a travel, and could not therefore have an
audience with him. Meanwhile as he stays in the wilderness there have also
been reports of some confusion in the running of Banjul market. When he was
asked about the issue, Mayor-elect Jeng said he was just being hinted on it
by somebody and lamented that he could not take action because he was not
yet in office.
Honourable Halifa Sallah the National Assembly member for Serrekunda Central
when contacted over the abnormality of the Banjul Mayorship handing over,
posited that ‘in making laws one has to indicate very clearly when certain
actions should take place. For example, when one deals with the executive,
the constitution says that the president assumes office two months after
elections’. In the case of the Local Government Act Halifa recalled that it
was gazetted on April 23 and few days before the election it reached the
National Assembly under a certificate of urgency.
He said the Bill was not properly scrutinised to ensure that there was a
proper provision for a smooth political succession. He said there is no law
stipulating that a Mayor or councilor should assume office at a given time.
He further said there must be an amendment to the act for the first sitting
of the council after a local government election. He said on the other hand
an administrative decision for the inauguration of the council should be
taken as a matter of convenience.
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