By Abdoulie Nyockeh
The management of Brikama Area Council (BAC), under the leadership of the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Modou Jonga, had put smiles on the faces of the residents of three settlements in Bulock Ward, Foni Brefet District of the West Coast Region. The Council recently presented three Milling and three Grinding machines to the villages of Sutusinjang, Bulock and Besse in the Ward.
The six labour-saing devices, said to worth about D500,000.00, were made in The Gambia. Identified as demand-driven by the said communities, each of the three village beneficiaries was given two machines- one Milling and one Grinding.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer Jonga assured the communities that the BAC would continue to support their development agenda. He avowed, “The council is committed in supporting your development agenda to improve your livelihoods status, as a community.” Jonga further stated that BAC’s priority is the welfare of the taxpayers.
He also reminded the gathering that in 2019, BAC had disbursed a sum of D25 million to five Wards towards their development projects.
The council, Jonga disclosed, has finalized its Five-Year Strategic Plan, and that in the coming years, it would be focusing on environmental health and sanitation, by supporting social and economic activities, promoting grassroots development and enhancing local democracy, transparency and accountability.
The Councillor for Bullock Ward, Mr. Ismalia Badjie, refreshed that in 2010-2011, the Ward received D229,200.00 from BAC for the construction of five classrooms blocks with an office, at Sutusinjang Islamic school.
“Today, the people of Bulock Ward are happy to receive another goodwill gesture from BAC,” the Ward’s representative at the BAC, acknowledged.
Councillor Badjie informed that a three-face metre, at a tune of D64,500.00, had been applied for, at the National Electricity and Water Company (NAWEC); intended for the operations of the Machines. But, according to him, NAWEC is yet to bring the metres. Badjie used the moment to advise the beneficiary communities to take good care of the machines, as he stressed that the durability of the machines is a concern for BAC.
The Village Alkalo, Mr. Jammeh, thanked the management of the Brikama Area Council for what he described as a “timely gesture”. He joined other speakers in advising the beneficiaries to handle the machines with great care.
Punctuated with singing and dancing by the elated beneficiaries, the event was also attended by the retired Chief Executive Officer of BAC, Mr. Mam Sait Jallow, Senior Staff of BAC, Community members, and newspeople, among others.
