Local Government minister Hamat Bah announced that the actual report of the presidential Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Area Councils has not been publicly released, despite documents circulating in the media. Mr. Bah clarified that the report, presented to the president a few weeks ago, remains confidential. He stated, "The final report is different from what is being shared in the media." Mr. Bah added that the report is "very well guarded and highly confidential until the government sets up a review committee whose report will form the decision of the government through a White Paper that would be published alongside the Commission’s report."
Official Report Status
Local Government Minister Hamat Bah stated that documents currently circulating in social and conventional media, presented as reports from the Local Government Commission, are not the final official report. Mr. Bah clarified that any such circulated documents can only represent a draft version. He indicated that the authentic final report, which was recently presented to the president, is being held in strict confidence. The minister emphasized that the government plans to establish a review committee. The findings of this committee will then inform the government's official decision, which will be published in a White Paper alongside the Commission's final report. This process ensures that the official findings and subsequent governmental actions are formally presented to the public.
Confidentiality and Process
Local Government Minister Hamat Bah stated that the government has neither published nor shared the Local Government Commission's report since its presentation to the president. Mr. Bah affirmed that no unauthorized individuals have viewed the report. He clarified that the circulated documents, which some media outlets have presented as the Commission's findings, do not represent the official document. The minister reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining the report's confidentiality until the designated review process is complete. This process involves a review committee whose recommendations will inform the government's final decision, to be released in a White Paper alongside the official report. Mr. Bah stressed that the integrity of the process requires the report to remain secure until its formal publication.
Minister's Statement
Local Government Minister Hamat Bah's office has not yet provided further details regarding the ongoing review process for the Local Government Commission's final report. The government maintains that the official document, presented to the president, remains confidential while awaiting the establishment of a review committee. This committee's findings will precede the publication of a White Paper detailing the government's decisions, which will be released concurrently with the Commission's report. The minister's previous statements emphasized that any documents currently circulating in media outlets are not the final, authenticated version of the report, reiterating the government's commitment to a structured and official release.
Next Steps for Publication
Minister Hamat Bah clarified that presidential commission reports are generally kept confidential and well-guarded. He stated that this confidentiality is maintained until a government review committee's report is finalized. The findings from this committee are intended to form the basis for the government's official decision. This decision is subsequently published through a White Paper, which is released concurrently with the Commission's original report. This process ensures a structured approach to the dissemination of such significant documents and the government's response to them.
