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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 18:42:22
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Brikama In Darkness Area Council Owes D37 Million To NAWEC
By Lamin Sanyang
11-08-10
This reporter was compelled to find out why the street lights in Brikama are no longer functioning. It is reported that Brikama Area Council owes a debt of D37 million to the National Water and Electricity Company NAWEC. Reports say this amount is due to BAC because of the council’s inability to settle arrears owed to NAWEC because of the street lights. The report further alleged that this includes the street lights in Brikama and the Coastal Road to the Senegambia area.
When the Brikama Area Council was contacted, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) Mr. Modou Jonga said that it is true that the street lights in Brikama are not functioning and that is not the wish of the council. He said the street lights are not functioning because they are not able to sustain them. He said the lights are faulty and would need a lot of money to repair them.
Mr. Jonga said it is the primary concern of the council to pay the debt that they owe to NAWEC. He said “As at now 2010, we owed NAWEC D37 million for the street lights from the Coastal road to the Senegambia area. Last week, we paid a cheque amounting to D1 million to NAWEC towards the payment of the debt that we owe to them.”
He reacted when the reporter told him that many people are putting the blame on the council for the mismanagement of funds to sustain the street lights. He said this huge debt to NAWEC is only for the street lights and water but said that the chunk of the amount is the street lights. He said that is not true for the council is doing their best to develop the people and the communities in their jurisdiction. He said “The council has been working tirelessly to provide services to the people within our jurisdiction”.
Mr. Jonga continues to say that the Brikama- Gidda road extension is an example to the development projects of the council. He said they have been sponsoring students going to school within the area. He said last year the amount of D491, 440 was spent in the education sector to support the needy students. He said an amount of D3.5 million was spent for the Wellingara new market in Kombo North. He went on to cite the development projects that the council is undertaking for the people and added that those were a tip of the ice-berg.
Speaking to one person who is a resident of Brikama this reporter was informed that the best way to settle the misunderstanding is for the council to open up to the people. He said people are paying their tax and should be informed how the taxes collected are spent.
Editor’s Note
If the people find themselves in darkness the council should have immediately gone on air to explain what was wrong. That is what is meant by transparency and Accountability.
Source: Foroyaa Online
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2010 : 21:23:06
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"Speaking to one person who is a resident of Brikama this reporter was informed that the best way to settle the misunderstanding is for the council to open up to the people. He said people are paying their tax and should be informed how the taxes collected are spent."
In other words. Let's see the books and see how you have spent out tax money. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2010 : 19:02:31
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BAC paid D1m to NAWEC
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Brikama Area Council recently presented a cheque for one million Dalasi to the officials of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) as payment against arrears owed by the council on street lights and public taps.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Mr. Sunkary Badjie said his council is committed to providing essential services and amenities to communities.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Brikama Area Council, Mr. Momodou Jallow advised the concerned communities to make judicious use of water. Mr. Jallow further appealed to tax payers to pay their dues to the council to enable them deliver essential services.
The Public Relations Officer of BAC, Mr. Modou Jonga stated that the arrears owed to NAWEC, is an accumulative sum inherited from the previous management of the council. Mr. Jonga added that the street lighting systems in Senegambia, Brufut, Airport Junction, Lamin and Brikama Misira had increased the arrears owed to NAWEC.
It could be recalled that the Minister of Local Government and Lands recently told deputies at the National Assembly that area councils in the country owe NAWEC a total sum of over D95m.
The following are the breakdowns: Banjul City Council-D12, 443, 080.24, Kanifing Municipal Council-D16, 337,556.04, Brikama Area Council-D33, 705, 927.16, Mansakonko Area Council -D6, 067, 596.90, Basse Area Council-D13, 209,932.61, Kerewan Area Council-D13, 244,417.87, Kuntaur Area Council-D18, 864.09 and Janjanbureh Area Council-D615, 243.2, as reported by the Minister.
He also told deputies that negotiations were ongoing for the councils to sit with NAWEC and prepare payment plans for the settlement of the arrears.
Source: The Point |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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