By Adama Makasuba
National assembly members today referred the appointment of Babucarr A Suwaneh as ombudsman to the public appointments committee for scrutiny and consideration.
Mr Babucarr A Suwaneh, 65, has been chosen by President Adama Barrow to be The Gambia’s new ombudsman in accordance with section 167 (1) of 1997 constitution.
Mr Suwaneh’s appointment by President Barrow according to Vice President Dr Isatou Touray came to effect on 31 October 2019.
“I move that this august assembly do consent and confirm the appointment of Mr Babucarr A Suwaneh as ombudsman by His Excellency of the Republic of The Gambia which effect 1st November 2019 for an initial term of five years in accordance with section 164 (1) of the constitution and section 2 (3) of the ombudsman act 1997 and following consultation with public service commission,” VP Touray told lawmakers.
She informed members of the house that “records show that Mr Suwaneh who is about 65 years of age had worked for 45 years in the Gambian civil service.”
Halifa Sallah the national assemby member for Serrekunda however referred house members to page 66 standing order of 114 – paragraph 2 that “it is saying that it shall be duty of the public appointments committee scrutinize, consider and advise upon all appointments to a public office to be made by the executive and subject to confirmation of the national assemby.”
“In that regard madam speaker, I would want to move that we refer this issue to the substantive committee for advice to the national assemby.”
The lawmakers then agreed that the matter be referred to the public appointments committee.
