Mayor Talib Bensouda of Kanifing Municipality says local governments plan to sue the national government. They want money the government owes them.
Mayor Bensouda explained that the national government must give money to local councils every year, as required by law. However, the government has not paid for six or seven years.
The government owes the Kanifing Municipal Council about 300 million dalasi, according to Mayor Bensouda's math. The government approved budgets that included this money. But it never paid the councils.
Mayor Bensouda thinks the government spent the money on its activities instead. He says the government bought fancy cars and traveled a lot, and he believes this spending does not help the Gambian people.
The councils could do more for citizens if they had the money, Mayor Bensouda argues. Problems like lack of water in some areas could be fixed. The law says the government must pay, so the councils will go to court to get the funds.
Mayor Bensouda wants President Barrow to focus on moving the country forward. He says who leads each council is not the most important thing; what matters is making life better for the people.
Mayor Bensouda explained that the national government must give money to local councils every year, as required by law. However, the government has not paid for six or seven years.
The government owes the Kanifing Municipal Council about 300 million dalasi, according to Mayor Bensouda's math. The government approved budgets that included this money. But it never paid the councils.
Mayor Bensouda thinks the government spent the money on its activities instead. He says the government bought fancy cars and traveled a lot, and he believes this spending does not help the Gambian people.
The councils could do more for citizens if they had the money, Mayor Bensouda argues. Problems like lack of water in some areas could be fixed. The law says the government must pay, so the councils will go to court to get the funds.
Mayor Bensouda wants President Barrow to focus on moving the country forward. He says who leads each council is not the most important thing; what matters is making life better for the people.
