In this interview with AG Radio, Lord Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda explained his role in the Kanifing Municipal Council. It was a really interesting conversation. In addition to this, he underlined the need of cultivating a democratic culture that is in accordance with our African values in order to strengthen our institutions.
Despite this, Mayor Bensouda has expressed his dissatisfaction with the intervention that the government has shown in the operations of KMC. In the majority of countries, including Senegal, the purpose of area councils is to function independently. In the Gambia, on the other hand, it seems that the government is working toward incorporating the area councils into the central government.
The KMC might be advanced through a variety of activities; yet, my powers are limited. There are several actions that I could carry out. The responsibilities of the KMC mayor were initially limited during the time when Yahya Jammeh was in office, namely during the time that Lie Conteh was serving as mayor. During the time that President Barrow is in office, the same strategies that Jammeh used are consistently utilized.
CEOs are appointed by the government, while mayors are elected by the people through the electoral process. The nomination of these chief executive officers makes the operations of area councils much more complicated. At first glance, it appears as though the government is attempting to run the local councils through a backdoor. It is appropriate for local governments to function autonomously because they are autonomous.
The Lord Mayor asserts that because the KMC does not possess planning authority, it is unable to design urban planning in the same manner as a great number of other countries.
