The General Council of Basse Area Council has unanimously agreed to institute legal actions against the decision of President Adama Barrow for vesting the responsibility of allocation of stalls at the newly built Basse Community Market to the Governor of Upper River Region (URR), Samba Bah.
On Saturday, 26th February 2022, at the inaugural ceremony of the official opening of the Basse Community Market, President Adama Barrow announced that the Governor of Upper River Region (URR), Samba Bah will be responsible for the allocation of stalls at the Basse Market.
The decision has prompted Basse Area Council to call for an emergency General Council meeting on Monday 28th, February 2022, in a bid to brainstorm over the President’s pronouncement and to come out with a common ground in countering the decision of the president which the council says is not in line with the Local Government Act, 2002.
The President’s action has been sharply criticized, pans, and condemned by rights groups as a violation of the Local Government Act.
They have since called on the President, Minister of Local Government and Lands, and the Governor of URR to desist from any form of interference in the allocation of stalls at the newly built Basse market.
“I cannot tell you all the details of the resolution as it is still under review. However, as matters stand, it is only the court that the Council will rely on to challenge the decision of the President,” Omar Drammeh, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Basse Area Council told the Alkamba Times.
He added: “For the President to instruct the Governor to allocate stalls at the market is not in line with the Local Government Act and Council cannot just fold its hands and watch. The decision is not in line with the Local Government Act and Council is ready to challenge it at the court.”
PRO Drammeh further debunks allegations that suggested that it was the wish of Basse Area Council Chairman to allocate stalls to only the supporters of his party members, the United Democratic Party (UDP) at the behest of the supporters of the President as responsible for the current impasse.
“Those allegations against Chairman Danjo are all false, distorted claims, and mere fabrications meant to score political points. The Chairman is not even part of the planning committee, who are vested with the responsibility for any allocation of stalls,” he said.
