By Mamadou Edrisa Njie
The people of Jarra Soma in the Lower River Region (LRR), on 15th October, 2019 witnessed the handing over of the Soma NAWEC electricity extension project provided to the settlements of Soma Sare Mawdo and Soma Darusalam, by the Mansakonko Area Council (MAC) in partnership with the Gambian Agency for the Management of Public Works (Gamworks).
The official handing over ceremony held in Jarra Soma Town, was witnessed by government officials, members of the community, amongst others.
The Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council, Mr. Landing B. Sanneh, in his keynote address said the people of the communities have the right to have such a project, “because they are the taxpayers and bearing in mind that 60 percent of the tax paid should be ploughed back to the taxpayers”.
Chairman Sanneh saluted NAWEC for supporting the Council up to the finishing stage of the project.
He used the occasion to urge the two beneficiary communities of Soma Sare Mawdo and Soma Darusalam to take ownership of this magnificent project.
The MAC boss finally thanked Gamworks, the Alkalo of Soma, the Chief of Jarra West and the Gikoko ward Councillor for their collective support towards the project.
The Honourable Governor of LRR, Mrs.Rohey John informed the gathering that the project is a milestone in the development of LRR.
She thanked the Council for the services provided to the people of Soma Darusalam and Soma Sare Mawdo.
Governor John’s special commendation went to Gamworks for making that project a reality. She, however, enjoined the beneficiaries to take ownership of the project.
The Chief Executive Officer of MAC, Mr. Paa Sait Ceesay, saw the day as ‘another important day in the history’ of their Council.
He disclosed that the project is a four million (4 million) dalasi project, and he posited that the beneficiaries should take ownership of the project.
The CEO further urged the taxpayers to be paying their taxes, reasoning that without the taxes, Council couldn’t undertake its development aspirations. Ceesay stated that the MAC’s revenue areas are very limited, and posited that taxpayers should sit and review the tariffs rates and taxes.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief of Jarra West, Alh. Yaya Jarjusey, thanked the Area Council for the timely gesture being provided to the community of Soma Sare Mawdo and Soma Darusalam, respectively.
The District head charged his people that, “when someone is helping you, you should also help yourself”. Chief Jarjusey expressed gratitude to Gamworks and NAWEC for their support.
The Administrative Officer of Mansakonko Area Council, Mr. Buwa Kinteh, chaired the ceremony.
