By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Minister of Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, Hon. Abba Sanyang on Tuesday moved a motion before the National Assembly for the creation of new Seyfo Districts in the West Coast Region in line with the earlier Re-demarcation of the constituencies order, 2015, and Section 58 (2) of the 1997 Constitution.
Minister Sanyang informed National Assembly Members that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had re-demarcated Kombo North and Kombo Central into three and two constituencies, respectively.
Specifically, the IEC divided Kombo North into SannehMentereng, Old Yundum, and Busumbala constituencies.
In Kombo Central, the IEC created Brikama North and Brikama South constituencies.
Hon. Sanyang said that the motion seeks to align the newly created electoral constituencies in the West Coast Region (WCR) with the Districts. This is to ensure policy consistency across all regions, as it is already the case in other regions. Hon. Sanyang also said that this would enhance local administration.
Minister Sanyang said that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) demarcated Kombo North and Kombo Central into small electoral constituencies due to the high population density in these areas. He also said that the same population increase and day-to-day administrative issues are being experienced in both districts.
“It has been difficult for a single Seyfo (District Chief) to effectively deal with the administrative challenges. As such, it has become necessary to install Seyfo Districts as demarcated by the IEC,” he said. Hon. Sanyang expressed confidence that recognizing constituencies as districts would enhance administrative and dispute resolution. He said this would be achieved through the district authorities and tribunals that would be established in each new district. He also noted that each constituency would automatically become a district authority, headed by the Chief, in accordance with Section 32 of the Local Government Act.