Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- A session in the National Assembly on Wednesday saw lawmakers accuse the government of flouting the Local Government Act after Lands Minister Hamat Bah admitted that no paramount Seyfo has been appointed, because he has yet to advise the President to do so.
Hon. Alagie S. Darboe of Brikama North, who first raised the issue, reminded the Minister that both he and the Vice President had previously promised to advise the President on the matter. “The continual non-appointment of the paramount Seyfo contravenes Section 131(b) of the Local Government Act. As a policy adviser to the President, what steps are you taking to ensure compliance with the law?” Darboe challenged.
In a response that stunned many in the chamber, Minister Bah said: “Probably because I have not advised him, and I will endeavour to do so.”
The admission drew sharp reactions from lawmakers across the chamber. Hon. Musa Cham of Serrekunda pressed the Minister on whether his Ministry considered the post necessary at all. “We deem it necessary because it is in the laws of The Gambia, and we will go by the laws that govern this country,” Bah replied.
Hon. Alfusainey Ceesay of Sami asked whether the matter had ever been discussed with the President, but the Minister refused to comment, saying it was beyond his purview to reveal such discussions.
Members including Musa Badjie of Talinding and Alfusainey Ceesay of Sami accused the Ministry of failing in its duty, warning that persistent inaction amounted to a breach of the law. “Can you give us a timeline when you are going to solve this matter?” Hon. Ceesay asked. Bah insisted he could not commit to a timeline, arguing that the President is the appointing authority.
Despite repeated questions in previous sittings, the government has offered no clarity on when the position of paramount Seyfo will be filled. The exchanges underscored mounting frustration in the Assembly over what many lawmakers view as executive disregard for constitutional obligations.
The office of the paramount Seyfo, created under the Local Government Act, remains vacant years after it was mandated, raising fresh questions about the government’s commitment to upholding the very laws it is sworn to protect.
