Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Tensions are rising at the Basse Area Council as councilors confirmed they have not received their salaries for four months, exposing deep frustrations over leadership and financial management. The revelation emerged during a council meeting chaired by Vice Chairman Bubacarr Danjo in the absence of Chairman Mahamadou Ceesay.

SutuKonding Ward Councilor Mawdo Sisawo was particularly vocal, blaming the crisis on poor leadership.

“It is true that we inherited problems here, but this cannot continue. Other councils have faced challenges, yet they have never gone two months without paying salaries. We are now entering the fourth month without pay,” Sisawo lamented. He criticized Chairman Ceesay’s handling of the situation, arguing that a leader should alleviate rather than exacerbate people’s suffering.

Sisawo also expressed disappointment over Chairman Ceesay’s absence from the meeting, despite being the one who convened it.

“He called for this meeting, yet we have received no clear explanation for his absence. The vice chairman was also not informed. Does this mean that if he is unavailable, the council cannot function? That should not be the case,” he stated.

Vice Chairman Danjo, who also serves as the Ward Councilor for Sare Ngai, reminded his colleagues of their legal authority within the council.

“The law states that if the chairman is absent for a week, he must hand over responsibilities to me. But let me remind you, councilors hold more power than the chairman. We campaigned and voted for him, but he did not vote for us,” Danjo asserted.

He further criticized Chairman Ceesay’s decision-making style, stating that councilors should not be sidelined. He noted that the council has the authority to block both the chairman and the finance director from accessing the council premises if necessary.

“We hold more power than both of them. We can compel the chairman to act, but unity is key, and unfortunately, that is lacking,” Danjo said.

Danjo also accused Ceesay of sidelining him by removing him from key committees without justification.

“This is why I am no longer part of the Establishment and Contract Committees. I was removed without justification, yet no one among you questioned it. If this had happened to someone else, I would have stood up for them,” he stated.

The salary crisis at Basse Area Council underscores growing tensions among council members, with frustrations mounting over leadership decisions and financial mismanagement. As the situation remains unresolved, the councilors are left questioning their next course of action.