168. The Department of State for Local Government and Lands
continues to press for greater democracy and wider and more local community
participation in governance and community development. Government's
goal in reforming local government remains to devolve certain powers
and authorities from the Central Government to competent and responsive
local governance structures. The two main policy objectives of the reform
are to extend the process of democratisation to the local level by promoting
the direct participation of the population in the management of their
own affairs, and to promote a spatially integrated approach to development,
which starts from the people themselves.
169. In order to achieve these objectives, the Strategy and
Plan of Action on Decentralisation has been put in place. Both the strategy
and the action plan lay emphasis on promoting activities that seek to
empower key actors in society, including individuals, groups and institutions
to help them achieve their socio economic goals. It is hoped that highly
structured entities are created with the required leadership to provide
vision and relevant commitment to the decentralisation process.
170. In its bid to further enhance the performance of the private
sector, the UNDP, under its Good Governance Programme, has recently
funded the review of all the business legislation such as the Companies
Act and the Business Registration Act, amongst others. These Acts would
soon be revised, thereby creating a more investment friendly environment
for the private sector.
171. Under CBEMP, the Attorney General's Chambers and the Department
of State for Justice has developed an information strategy system that
includes the computerisation of the Registrar General's Division and
the Registrar of Companies' Office. A court case management system is
part of the system linking the Department of State for Justice and the
Judiciary by a local area network that will lead to the efficient management
of cases and, in the process, reduce the backlog of cases.
172. The introduction of the Alternate Dispute Resolution System
is awaiting the enacting of the Bill into an Act by the National Assembly,
after the Government's ratification of the New York Convention for the
'Enforcement of International Arbitration Awards'. The ratification
of the Convention is a condition for the tabling of this Bill.
173. The Department of State for the Interior and Religious
Affairs as the manager of internal security continues to play a vital
role in maintaining law and order, protecting life and property and
promoting peace, harmony and religious tolerance. In line with the Local
Government reform and decentralisation programme, and within the context
of the Five Year Strategic Development Plan of The Gambia Police Force,
this Department has deployed commissioners of police in all Local Government
administrative divisions. This move aims, among other things, to adequately
address security issues nationwide, and to provide police services to
all residents in this country.
174. Plans are afoot to introduce community policing. This would
engender a better rapport and constructive engagement between the police
and the public. The aim of this partnership is for the police to win
the confidence of the public, thereby instilling mutual trust between
them and the community. In this way, members of the community would
readily take ownership of policing work, and, thereby, contribute towards
a more congenial environment and a secured community. In 2004, a specialised
Police Intervention Unit is expected to be deployed across the seven
administrative divisions of the country for effective implementation
of the new policy initiatives.
175. Through the bilateral cooperation between The Gambia Police
Force and the British Government, the British Government has supported
the training of several officers of The Gambia Police Force. The training
will enhance the knowledge, skills and capacity of members of the force
so that they are able to execute their policing duties in a more professional
manner.
176. The introduction of alien identity card in 2003 was received
with apprehension in some quarters. It is my pleasure to report that
this move has paid impressive dividends in terms of bolstering the internal
security of the country and its inhabitants, and also enhancing the
collection of non-tax revenue.
177. Further achievements have also been made in the area of
drug control. A new Drug Control Bill was passed and enacted during
the course of this year. This new law gives additional power to the
National Drug Control Council as the national drug law enforcement agency
in collaboration with the National Drug Squad.
178. The importance of Civil Service reforms in an era of economic
difficulties cannot be over-emphasized. The rationalization of public
expenditure on manpower budgeting and control mechanisms (salaries,
allowances, wages etc) remains the critical focus of the Personnel Management
Office. This, in collaboration with Department of State for Finance
and Economic Affairs, will form the basis of any medium and long-term
reform strategy. Staff inspection and job evaluation in key sectors,
and the professional cadre, will help in implementing critical recommendations
that will address major manpower requirements and an effective and efficient
delivery of services. It is the government's intention to maintain a
leaner and well-remunerated Civil Service in order to efficiently and
effectively enhance productivity.
179. In the area of Staff Audit, aimed at assessing value for
money, the focus in the last two years have been on large sectors such
as Health, Education, and Works, Construction and Infrastructure. The
principal aim here is to minimise government expenditure, especially
in the wages vote and also to cut down on vacancies. Reports on staff
audit have been made available, but implementation of recommendations
seems problematic. Efforts on these invaluable exercises will continue,
especially for sectors like Customs and Excise, Central Revenue and
the Department of State for Agriculture. It is expected that, on a yearly
basis 4 Staff Inspection Studies and 3 Staff Audit exercises will be
feasible, depending on the availability of core staff within the Management
Services Division of the Personnel Management Office.
180. Training of Civil Servants in management administration,
financial management, development and gender issues continue to be conducted
at the Management Development Institute. With the assistance of the
CBEMP, training of Civil Servants has been possible, especially for
the revenue-generating institutions. This is in line with our policies
of financial management reforms. Another important local training exercise
has focused on records management under the National Records Services
(NRS) Department. The National Records Services' initiatives have registered
success in the management of financial, judicial and hospital/health
records in the past three years.
181. Overseas training has been constrained mainly by lack of
resources, and the availability of foreign exchange and this has resulted
in fewer numbers being sent for training overseas. It will, therefore,
be prudent for the time being to focus on local group training, on-the
job training exercises, and cheaper regional programmes. For 2004, the
emphasis on selective local training packages at the Management Development
Institute.
182. However, the high attrition rate in the Civil Service is
a major preoccupation of Government, and the short and medium-term goals
and policies, especially in 2004, will emphasis strategies for retention,
salary incentives, allowances and a Revised Pension Scheme. A revised
retirement package that would raise the retirement age from 55 to 60
is being considered by Government. This proposal is one measure to retain
efficient and long serving officials, as well as trying to contain the
socio-economic hardships that will favour attrition.
183. The Personnel Management Office will continue to institute
measures on reform, and will encourage all Departments of State to diagnose
management and structural problems that the Personnel Management Office
should address. The issues of succession planning, staff appraisal system,
secondment and transfer, job descriptions should be high on the agenda.
-end.