By Bintou Waggeg
Banjul Mayor, Rohey Malick Lowe has accused the Ministry of Local Government of failing to effectively manage administrative staff at the Banjul City Council (BCC), alleging that the situation has hampered the council’s ability to deliver essential municipal services.
In a statement posted on her official Facebook page on Tuesday, Lowe said she had repeatedly appealed to the ministry to resolve staffing issues at the council but had received no meaningful response.
She argues that because the ministry is responsible for overseeing the council’s administrative personnel, it should also assume responsibility for the institution’s operational performance.
“If the ministry’s responsibility is to handle the administration of our City Council, then they must take full responsibility for ensuring that our City Council operates efficiently and effectively. Enough is enough,” Lowe said.
The mayor said the council’s elected leadership had secured resources for the city but had been unable to implement key projects because of administrative constraints.
She cites newly acquired streetlights that have yet to be installed because funds have not been released, as well as waste collection trucks that remain parked at the council’s premises due to a lack of fuel.
According to Lowe, the situation reflects broader administrative bottlenecks that have prevented the council from delivering services to residents despite the efforts of its elected officials.
She warned that the continued delays would primarily affect the people of Banjul, who rely on the council for essential municipal services.
Lowe also alleged that political considerations were being used to undermine the mayor’s office, stressing that both she and the councillors were democratically elected to administer the city.
She said she was no longer prepared to pursue the council’s Chief Executive Officer over staff-related matters, arguing that the official did not have the authority to manage personnel under the current administrative structure.
While acknowledging the importance of addressing land issues in the city, Lowe maintained that effective administration remains essential to the council’s ability to function efficiently.
She said the challenges facing the Banjul City Council stem from what she described as the ministry’s failure to effectively administer the council’s staff, adding: “It is a sad time to be a Banjulian.”