By: Foday Manneh
In a twist of events, the Ministry of Lands and Regional Government and Religious Affairs has written to Kanifing municipal council deputy chief executive officer giving a final order to hand over office to his embattled boss Sainabou Martin Sonko.
The request came following the deputy CEO’s appearance at a hearing before the Local Government Service Commission, where the decision was made.
In a leaked letter written to the deputy CEO and seen by TAT, the Ministry says the failure of the deputy CEO to hand over to Mrs. Martins will result in sanctions.
“This letter is to inform you that you are hereby reprimanded for your deliberate defiance of the authority, which is unacceptable,” the letter reads.
Specifically, you have continually failed to hand over the functions and responsibilities to the Chief Executive Officer in the person of Mrs. Sainabou Martin Sonko, despite receipt of repeated instructions to do so,” the request letter notes.
The letter also cautioned the deputy CEO to hand over the responsibilities of the CEO “not later than Friday, April 14, 2023, failure of which would lead to further disciplinary action.”
According to the Ministry, the notice will serve as a strict warning to the recipient if any reoccurrence of the same or similar violation or insubordination will be meted with the appropriate action.
Sainabou Martin Sonko was accused by the KMC authorities of official corruption and office mismanagement, leading to her suspension in August 2022.
In February 2023, the Ministry of Local Government gave a fresh order eight months after the CEO’s suspension, instructing her to resume work immediately. However, four months later, CEO Sonko remains out of service despite calls for her reinstatement by the authorities.
