Savelugu Nanton assembly members call for removal of Coordinating Director

All the 45 elected members of the Savelugu Nanton Municipal Assembly in the Northern region, are calling for the removal of the Municipal Coordinating Director, (MCD) Issahaka B. Basintale.

The assembly members are accusing the Coordinating Director of disrespect for provisions in the Local Government Act, which is affecting the development of the municipality.

They have given authorities a two week ultimatum to give the assembly a new Coordinating Director or otherwise they would advise themselves.

According to the 45 elected members, ever since Mr Basintale took over as MCD, the assembly has never met at least three times in a year as stipulated in the Local Government Act 462 section 18(1) that "the district assembly shall meet at least three times in a year".

The aggrieved members also claim that Mr Basintale illegally convened a Finance and Administration sub-committee meeting on February 9, 2016, which was attended by only four members of the assembly.

Per the Local Government Act, sub-committee meetings should be attended by a quorum, which is half of the assembly members, therefore the four members present invalidated the meeting.

The said meeting was also in contravention of the Local Government Act Section 45(2) which states that "the convener of each sub-committee shall be elected from among the members thereof".

Another accusation against the Municipal Coordinating Director is that, ever since he assumed office, the Disability Fund which is 2% of the Municipal Assembly Common Fund, has never been disbursed to the beneficiaries.

The petition of the 45 elected members has been copied to the Municipal Chief Executive, the Coordinating Director, the Police Commander, the BNI and the Yoo Naa.

The Savelugu Nanton Municipal Assembly is made up of 68 members, made up of 20 government appointees, two MPs and 45 elected members.