By Kemo Kanyi
Political scientist Biran Gai of the University of The Gambia has accused local councils of failing to adequately discharge their statutory responsibilities, particularly in waste management and the provision of basic services in markets.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Voice on Sunday, Gai said the Local Government Act of 2002 gives councils significant authority over markets within their jurisdictions, including the power to regulate trading locations, issue of licenses and collect market rates and tolls.
He cited the Kanifing Municipal Council and Brikama Area Council as examples, saying councils have the authority to determine where vendors operate within markets under their jurisdiction.
“These, in return, they are expected to provide security and sanitation by ensuring that there is cleanliness within those market areas. But in The Gambia, what you often see is councils defaulting from these responsibilities,” Gai remarked.
He said many markets across the country remain unhygienic, citing poorly maintained toilets, inadequate waste disposal facilities and poorly managed dustbins.
According to the political scientist, such conditions represent a major failure by councils to meet their responsibilities under the law.
He argued that revenues collected through market rates and other charges should be used to provide essential services within markets and council administrative areas.
“The law directs that the rates collected must be used to provide basic essential services in markets and within council administrative areas in general,” he said, adding that this was not happening adequately in many cases.
Gai says the situation raises broader questions about the effectiveness of local government in The Gambia and its ability to deliver essential services to communities.
He warned that poor sanitation in markets could pose health risks to vendors and visitors, describing the conditions in some markets as unsuitable for both commercial activities and public use.
The political scientist urged councils to improve service delivery and ensure that revenue generated from market rates was used effectively to improve market infrastructure and hygiene.
He also called on market authorities and managers to properly designate trading areas and ensure that markets are organized and maintained in line with their responsibilities.