The ward councillors of West Coast Region (WCR)  unanimously condemned the redeployment or transfer decision on their Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Modou Jonga  to Banjul City Council( BCC) by Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) in a missive dated 27th May 2021. 

Speaking to Kairaba News Network, Honourable ward councillor for Kembujeh ward, Alieu K Darboe, stated they are unhappy with the d decision advanced by the commission which he described as untimely and poorly calculated. He added that appointed officials cannot dictate the work of an elected servant, he added, before such a decision can be reached at ,the ward councillors and their chairperson should be consulted over the matter as mentioned in page 30 of the local government act before reaching to a conclusion.

He went further to say that ward councillors were never  informed of this and he stated that the request was made by email which he frowned at and urged the authority concerned to respect the dictate of the law.  Honourable Darboe stated that about 29th ward councillors who in other wards are the national assembly members for the council condemn this demand because the officer concern is bonded to the council as he was sponsored to pursue his masters degree  at the university of  Indonesia funded by taxpayers money of the region. He went further to say that the residents of his ward are not happy about this decision whose decision should be respected at all cost. According to the councilor, Mr Jonga, since his appointment as the CEO , a lot of development has been observed both in the communities and the council, and they can’t compromise  that with anything as a council.

According to him the CEO has been conducting frequent meetings with his senior management committee at the council, placed a mechanism to improve daily attendance at work in the council, conduct advocacy forums to get informed the employee of their rights and in consultation with the chairperson recognised the hard working staff who enjoy a pay rise . He concluded that their CEO Jonga is an assert to the Region and they cannot succumb to the demand of him leaving the council .

 

By: Alkal Cham