Local Government Act, 2002 (No. 5 of 2002).
Country
Type of law
Legislation
Abstract
This Act makes provision with respect to local government in The Gambia. For the purpose of local administration, The Gambia shall be divided into the Divisions, Areas, Cities, and Municipalities set out Part 1 of Schedule 1 of this Act. Local Government Areas shall be demarcated. There shall be established for the Local Government Areas set out in Column A of Part 1 of Schedule 1, the Councils (“Area Council”, “Municipal Council” or “City Council”) listed in Column B of that Part which shall be constituted and have such functions as are vested in it by this Act.
The Act places management responsibilities on the Local Government Area Councils for a range of natural resources under their jurisdiction. The Act makes provision for the devolution of the following competences to the Area Councils: Section 67 (1) of the Act, mandates every Council to be responsible for providing agricultural services to the communities within their jurisdiction, in accordance with national guidelines. Towards this end, a Local Agricultural Committee is to be appointed in each Local Government Area. In the performance of its agricultural functions under the Act, a Council is to establish a Department of Agriculture and Livestock Services to which relevant Government Extension workers and such other personnel to be determined by the Director of Agricultural Services, in consultation with the Council, shall be transferred; Councils are to be responsible in their areas for the protection of nature and natural resources. Section 72 (1) of the Act mandates the establishment of a Local Natural Resources Committee in each Local Government Area through which the Council would carry out this function; Councils shall be responsible for the conservation, sustainable management and biodiversity of the environment. More specifically, as to natural resources, Councils shall manage forest and fisheries resources in their area and be responsible for the rational management, utilisation and conservation of water resources. The Councils shall also develop and maintain water supplies outside the jurisdiction of the water utilities. another duty of Councils is to promote crop irrigation, the abatement of soil erosion, flooding and sanitation.
The Act places management responsibilities on the Local Government Area Councils for a range of natural resources under their jurisdiction. The Act makes provision for the devolution of the following competences to the Area Councils: Section 67 (1) of the Act, mandates every Council to be responsible for providing agricultural services to the communities within their jurisdiction, in accordance with national guidelines. Towards this end, a Local Agricultural Committee is to be appointed in each Local Government Area. In the performance of its agricultural functions under the Act, a Council is to establish a Department of Agriculture and Livestock Services to which relevant Government Extension workers and such other personnel to be determined by the Director of Agricultural Services, in consultation with the Council, shall be transferred; Councils are to be responsible in their areas for the protection of nature and natural resources. Section 72 (1) of the Act mandates the establishment of a Local Natural Resources Committee in each Local Government Area through which the Council would carry out this function; Councils shall be responsible for the conservation, sustainable management and biodiversity of the environment. More specifically, as to natural resources, Councils shall manage forest and fisheries resources in their area and be responsible for the rational management, utilisation and conservation of water resources. The Councils shall also develop and maintain water supplies outside the jurisdiction of the water utilities. another duty of Councils is to promote crop irrigation, the abatement of soil erosion, flooding and sanitation.
Attached files
Long title of text
AN ACT to establish and regulate a decentralized local government system for The Gambia; to make provision for the functions, powers and duties of local authorities and for matters connected therewith.
Date of text
Repealed
No
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No