The Brikama Area Council (BAC) has issued a strong condemnation against the actions of Governor Ousman Bojang of the West Coast Region, accusing him of unlawfully attempting to assume the powers of the council’s established market committee in allocating market stalls at the New Market complex of the Brikama Central Market.

In a press release, the council emphasized that according to both the Gambian constitution and the Local Government Act, only the council is authorized to constitute and deal with issues relating to the management, control, and allocation of markets. The Governor, they assert, has no legal authority in such matters.

The council further criticized Governor Bojang, pointing out that he does not meet the legal qualifications to hold the position of governor under the Local Government Act. The act specifies that only a person who was a senior civil servant, not below the rank of a Director, can be appointed as a governor.

Despite the council’s warnings and legal notices, the Governor proceeded with establishing a “Market allocation committee” which he claimed would include various regional officials. The council reiterated that this committee is illegal and infringes on the functions of the council’s democratically elected Market Committee.

Moreover, the council expressed concern that the Governor has been charging applicants D500 for stall applications, a practice they deem unlawful as his office is funded from the consolidated funds, not from direct charges to the public.

In response to the Governor’s actions, the BAC stated its intention to take every legal action to ensure that this illegal action does not set a precedent. They plan to exercise their powers under Section 126 of the Local Government Act 2002 to petition for the removal of the Governor.

The BAC also warned that it will not recognize any leases granted by the Governor for stalls in the Market under the council’s control. Only forms issued by the BAC and tenants allocated stalls by the council’s market committee will be recognized.

The council concluded by reminding Governor Bojang that they are a democratically elected council with a high degree of autonomy, and they will not tolerate any actions that undermine their authority and the rule of law.