The Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils and Related Matters has concluded its work, submitting its report and recommendations to the President of the republic. The commission, which conducted public hearings for three years, delivered its findings after an extensive period of investigation into local governance in The Gambia. The report's submission marks a critical step towards addressing issues within municipal and area councils and initiating substantial change. A whitepaper is now expected to follow, aiming to deliver concrete reforms in accountability, finance, service delivery, and citizen participation across the country's local government structures. This full approach is vital for revitalizing local administration and ensuring it effectively serves the needs of all citizens.
The Key Role of Local Councils
Local councils are central to daily life in The Gambia, managing essential services such as markets, drainage, and land administration. Their efficient functioning directly impacts the quality of life for residents across the nation. In Sukuta, one mother observed her street flood again during the recent rainy season, despite drainage improvements being promised in the council budget two years ago and funds collected for the purpose. This situation notes the operational challenges faced by local governance structures and the tangible impact of their shortcomings on communities. The 2002 Local Government Act, which currently governs these councils, is widely considered outdated and in need of revision to address contemporary challenges and demands. To address these systemic issues, a recommendation has been made for the president to establish an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce. This taskforce would report to the cabinet every six months, aiming to drive necessary reforms and ensure accountability and progress in implementing the proposed changes.
Mandatory Reforms for Accountability
The forthcoming whitepaper is expected to prioritize visible accountability, committing to complete transparency in daily actions, decisions, and progress within local governance, according to recommendations. This commitment to transparency is seen as fundamental to rebuilding public trust. A proposed requirement stipulates that every council must publish quarterly budgets, procurement awards, and project updates both online and on public notice boards, ensuring that financial activities and project statuses are readily accessible to the public.
The President is urged to announce a binding code of conduct that includes mandatory asset declarations for mayors, chairpersons, councilors, and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Such declarations are key for preventing corruption and ensuring integrity in public office. A significant reform suggested is linking central government subventions to audit performance, with a rule stating "no clean audit, no central subvention." This measure aims to enforce financial discipline and responsible management of public funds. Each CEO would be required to sign a performance contract, with objectives tied to waste collection, revenue targets, and project delivery, thereby establishing clear expectations and metrics for success.
To enhance public engagement, councilors would be mandated to hold quarterly town halls and publish the minutes from these meetings, fostering direct communication between elected officials and their constituents. Recommendations also include guaranteeing seats for women and youth on key committees within the councils, ensuring diverse representation and empowering marginalized groups in decision-making processes. Local traditional leaders, Seyfolu and alkalo, are proposed to have a formal advisory role in planning processes, integrating traditional wisdom and community insights into modern governance. The whitepaper is also expected to commit to amendments to the Local Government Act within 12 months, specifically addressing critical areas such as digital finance, procurement, and climate resilience, to modernize the legal framework governing local councils.
Strengthening Finance and Service Delivery
The whitepaper is expected to propose a digitized revenue system for property rates and market dues. This system aims to enhance efficiency and transparency in local revenue collection, reducing opportunities for leakage and increasing overall revenue for local development. Recommendations also call for replacing political subventions with a clear revenue-sharing formula, which would be based on population and need, providing a more equitable and predictable distribution of funds to councils across the country.
The framework proposes the creation of a matching grant fund for councils. Under this initiative, the central government would match every dalasi a council invests in infrastructure projects such as roads, markets, or drainage. This mechanism is intended to incentivize local development and encourage councils to invest in critical infrastructure improvements.
To improve administrative capacity, the hiring of Chief Executive Officers and directors must transition to the Local Government Service Commission, based on merit. This move seeks to professionalize leadership within local councils, ensuring that competent individuals are appointed to key positions. A Local Government Training Institute is considered necessary to equip staff with the skills to manage procurement, engineering, and finance effectively, thereby building a more capable and efficient local government workforce.
The whitepaper is also set to legalize Ward Development Committees, granting them the power to decide on 20% of the local development budget. This measure aims to decentralize decision-making and foster greater community involvement in prioritizing and executing local projects. A clear schedule defining the responsibilities of councils versus the central government is also deemed essential to avoid overlap and ensure accountability, creating a more streamlined and effective governance structure. The reform framework additionally outlines "quick wins" to be achieved within six months, focusing on governance and anti-corruption measures, demonstrating an immediate commitment to improving local administration.
