Officials From Kerewan Area Council
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Standing Committee on Finance and Public Accounts (FPAC) of the Gambia National Assembly rescheduled the appearance of the Kerewan Area Council on Thursday due to the absence of their Board Chairman.
The Council was slated to present and discuss its activity report and financial statement for the period 2020-2021 before FPAC. However, the proceedings couldn’t take place because the Council’s Board Chairman was not present.
According to Sainabou Martin Sonko, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kerewan Area Council, they were unaware of the scheduled appearance. She acknowledged receiving the letter but stated it was only brought to her attention the day before the scheduled appearance. Upon verification, she realized the notification was sent to the National Assembly CEO WhatsApp Group Chat on the 10th. Efforts were made to assemble the team, including the Chairman, but unfortunately, the Chairman couldn’t make it due to a prior commitment.
Mrs. Martin Sonko explained that the Chairman received the information late from her, and by then, he was already en route to Basse for the GALGA meeting, which was later canceled.
“We received the letter, but it was an oversight from my end. It was yesterday that it was called to my attention that we should appear before the committee, and I was referred to the National Assembly CEO WhatsApp Group Chat to look at the Notification. I then confirmed that it was actually sent to the group on the 10th. That was the time I arranged to get the team over here, including the Chairman. Unfortunately, the Chairman couldn’t make it here, and he sent his apology,” she told the Committee.
Hon. Alagie S. Darboe, the Chairman of the Committee, emphasized the importance of adhering to parliamentary procedures. He pointed out that the Chairman may be unfamiliar with the system and stressed the need for prioritizing parliamentary engagements.
“We noted that he is new to the system, and perhaps he is not familiar with Parliament procedures. That is why we gave him a warning that anytime the Parliament calls, priority should be given to the parliament,” Hon. Darboe told the Kerewan Area Council Officials.
Hon. Darboe emphasized the importance of communication and urged the Chairman to notify them in advance if he couldn’t attend a meeting.
“When the Board or the Council is not represented, the meeting cannot proceed. We don’t want this situation to be repeated, that’s why we are giving him a strong warning to always try to abide by the Parliamentary call,” Hon. Darboe said.
In light of the circumstances, the Committee decided to reschedule the engagement for the 26th of February 2024 at noon to allow for both the presentation and consideration of the period under review.