The Sanyang Village Development Committee (VDC) has rejected a decision by the Brikama Area Council (BAC) to dissolve its executive committee, describing the move as unjustified and inconsistent with the findings of an earlier conflict resolution process.
The VDC said it was “dismayed and in total objection” to the proposed dissolution, and called for the release of the full report of the BAC WDC/VDC Conflict Resolution Committee.
It argued that a previous committee established by the council had already reviewed allegations against the executive and found no grounds for dissolution.
According to the VDC, the earlier committee held consultations and examined claims brought by the Sanyang Development Fund before concluding that the petition did not meet the legal or administrative threshold required to dissolve the committee.
The report reportedly recommended that the VDC continue operating within its mandate while improving administrative procedures and strengthening community engagement.
The latest dispute follows a reported decision by BAC to set up a new committee, including elected councillors, which the VDC said contradicted earlier recommendations and interfered in village affairs.
The VDC maintained that the initial findings had been dismissed following internal council disagreements, a move it described as irregular.
An emergency stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday brought together the VDC executive, elders of Sanyang, members of Sanyang Bulunda and other community representatives.
Participants at the meeting reportedly rejected the proposed dissolution and expressed confidence in the current VDC leadership.
The community pledged to continue working with the executive committee until the end of its mandate and cautioned against interference in internal village affairs.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Alkalo of Sanyang, the chairperson of the conflict resolution committee, the chairperson of BAC, the chief of Kombo South, the governor of the West Coast Region and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs.
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