By Baba Sillah
The protracted standoff between staff of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation and their managing director worsened yesterday when the staff shut down all doors, blocking access to management and all visitors. They were protesting against the suspension of their spokesman and representative on the board Momodou Camara.
A tense situation that lasted for hours was eventually eased following the intervention of security heads led by CDS Masanneh Kinteh, IGP Jobe and Ousman Sowe, the director general of SIS.
The Standard has found some staff loitering around the premises of the corporation’s building while banners were pasted around the entrance of the building with the slogan “no favoritism, Momodou Camara is the voice of the staff”.
Addressing the media after almost an hour of closed-door meeting with some of the senior officials of the corporation, IGP Jobe revealed that the meeting was fruitful because they discussed with the management as how the complaints of the disgruntled staff could be resolved.
He said the concerns of the staff have been forwarded to the management, adding that the staff are also asked to resume their normal work as the situation has now been resolved and their demands will be considered.
He said if the situation is not addressed it might escalate but since they have heard from the officials, they would see how to address the matter.
The dispute that has now lasted for months has generated a lot of interest among Gambians with many condemning the agitating staff for insubordination and the government for inaction. Many others though sympathize the position of the staff who are opposed to the policies of the MD Muhammed Manjang.
