By Makutu Manneh
Sainabou Martin Sonko, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has informed the press that she was denied entry to her office even though the ministry of regional government instructed that she resumes work immediately.
She said as she arrived to start work on Tuesday 21st February 2023, she was escorted to a conference hall and later told that her office was not ready.
“If I can recall, this is the eighth time, I have been here and they always give me the same excuses,” she said.
Ms. Sonko said when she met Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda sometime back, he told her that the council has an issue with the ministry’s letter and they will take it up with the ministry.
She said the mayor also told her that they will have a general council meeting, where any resolution reached, will be communicated to her.
KMC CEO indicated that she has been waiting for the general council meetings for the past eighteen months and nothing comes out yet, adding: ”Why would she believe that there will be changes in their Wednesday 22nd February meeting.”
She said she will be informing the ministry of regional government about what occurred at the council yesterday.
Sainabou Martin Sonko was accused by the Kanifing Municipal Council of official corruption and office mismanagement and she was suspended for more than eighteen months.
In a press release, Kanifing Municipal Council expressed disappointment over a press release issued by Buba Sanyang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs intimidating the council to allow CEO Sonko to resume work.
“Council will remind the author of the press release that the days of dictatorship are over. The law is for all parties,” the release stated.
“Nothing has stopped the ministry and local government commission from taking a decision on the findings against the CEO for the last 18 months. These findings are matters of fact and not mere allegations.”
The council further stated that it cannot assign a public servant duty over public resources while there remain findings of corruptions.
The council urged the local government ministry to review the recommendations for removal of the CEO as required by their mandate, adding temporarily the CEO may continue to report but will not be assigned any responsibilities until the recommendations of the established committee are considered in substance.
