Serrekunda — The Alkalo of Dasilami in Kombo Central in the Western Region who was sacked has been recently reinstated, speaking to this reporter at her home in Dasilami Aja Jafereh Bojang, confirmed that she was re-instated following her sacking as the village Alkalo (Head) almost 2 years ago. She said the position was entrusted to her prior to her sacking for reasons not known to her. She said that when she received a signal that the alkaloship was taken from her she accepted the development in good faith good faith . She also accepted the re-instatement in good faith.

She acknowledged that the village development committee was dissolved and accepted that it would be very difficult for any project to be implemented effectively without a village development committee.

Mr. Balla Sambou, a former Secretary General to the VDC confirmed the dissolution of the VDC. He said a delegation led by the then commissioner Momodou Lamin Jobarteh and accompanied by the Chief of Kombo South and some security officers indicated that an order had been given by higher authorities that the VDC should be dissolved. Mr. Sambou explained that it is almost three 3 years since the VDC was dissolved. He said this has a negative impact on their development agenda as he said most of the NGOs prefer working with the VDC. He said it is their intention to establish another VDC but they must get an order from the authorities.

Kawsu Bojang who claimed to be a former committee member of the dissolved VDC explained that they were unanimously selected by the villagers Mr. Bojang said when they were selected the then Alkalo and the village elders, were all in the picture. He also narrated that since the dissolution of the VDC they have not been conducting any meetings to discuss the development of the village.

Mr. Bojang also explained that during the period that the village had a VDC there was unity and mutual understanding and no one was left out in the planning of the development of the village. He recalled some of the development project that they had embarked on. He also explained that all categories of people like women youths and elders and each Kabilo were fully represented.

Mussou Kebba Jarju also a former committee member of the dissolved VDC explained the numerous challenges they are facing since the VDC dissolved. She explained that during the period that the VDC was in place it was very easy for them to mobilise their people for any development projects. She said that she has the belief that the VDC is the eye for any development in a village. She said the dissolution is a real setback to the Alkalo. She said that they were really disappointed by the delegation . She said in every place they knock for any development they find it difficult when those donors or sponsors know that the village is without a VDC. She questioned how they can achieve any development for the village in such a situation. She said the women have suffered a lot in this period as they are very well known for their horticultural activities which has not been going on in the village for the past 3 years..

She talked of the difficulties they had faced during the past rainy season as a result of the poor condition of the road linking them to Brikama. She explained that during the time they had a VDC they used to fully coordinate and participate in the maintenance of the road and neighbouring villages up to the Cassamance used to join the exercise. She said during the last rainy season no such exercise took place.

Fatou Jallow also a former committee member explained that Dasilami is a village of unity and there was mutual understanding and cooperation between both youths, women an the elders of the village.

This reporter also met the recently sacked Alkalo Alh Omar Demba who confirmed his sacking which he said he accepted in good faith.