The National Assembly on Friday passed the Local Government Amendment Bill 2020 despite fierce challenges from opposition parties. 

The amendment bill, tabled by the Lower Baddibu representative Alagie Mbowe, will empower Area Council officials and free them from the restraint of party loyalty in the discharge of their duties. 

Mr Mbowe said the bill was tabled so that section 19(1) paragraph (G) of the Local Government Act, which made it possible for elected Council Officials to lose their seats in case of expulsion from their parties, would be amended.

It meant that elected Area Council officials will not lose their seat in the event that they are expelled from their political parties. 

The bill was opposed by the opposition United Democratic Party who saw it as an attempt to interfere in the party’s ongoing fight with renegade councillors and local council leaders. 

Ya Kumba Jaiteh, Nominated Member of the National Assembly, a staunch UDP member, raised a point of order which was overruled by the deputy speaker D.S Sanneh. 

The amendment bill was after two weeks of intensive legislative scrutiny by lawmakers.