By: Ilyasa Baa
The relationship between the Chairmen, Mayors of Councils and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has become sourer ever since they were officially directed recently to vacate their offices in preparation for the election.
The local authorities were shocked by the directives of the Minister of Local Government that they should vacate no later than 1st March 2023. The Minister, Tamba Lamina insists that his directive is the legal and best practice that those with elective positions make way for the transition. He stressed that it is not befitting for them to occupy those seats which they are running for at the same time.
“Let them leave the transitional team headed by the Chief Administrators will handle the affairs of the city and district Councils”, Tamba Lamina reiterated.
However, these local authorities have challenged the directives of the ministry capitalizing on the clause in the Local Government Act which states that they should leave office on the last seating of the Council meeting which is due in May or the day the House of Parliament closes which is in April.
It could be recalled that a controversial clause which would have allowed the local authorities to have more time in office was removed from the bill at Committee Stage in Parliament. The Ministry says they do not know how that clause clandestinely entered the bill but was removed by the lawmakers immediately after it was noticed.
It has been alleged that some Council Chairmen are in the habit of using Council facilities for political party programs ahead of the June 24 elections.