The Management and Councillors of Basse Area Council (BsAC) in the Upper River Region (URR), said they have invested more than 29 million dalasis in delivering services to taxpayers in different communities, within its Local Government Area (LGA), in the first quarter of 2021 alone.
These services, according to them, include the construction of an 18 million dalasis 1.6 kilometer concrete road from Basse town to Manneh Kunda bypass; construction of a four million dalasi culvert linking Sabi and Samba Lolo; construction of a three million dalasi Baja Kunda culvert that is affected by erosion; and the construction of a four-million dalasi Song Kunda culvert project.
During their meeting with members of the Executive and Secretariat of Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) on Tuesday, 22 June 2021, as part of GALGA’s quarterly monitoring to all the eight Local Government Areas, the BsAC Management and Councillors pride themselves in accomplishing several life-changing projects within the locality.
Supported by the UNDP-Gambia funded Economic Management Project (EMP), under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the tour is expected to strengthen the relationship between GALGA and Councils for improved quality service delivery.
The meetings outlined value added programmes and projects that could enhance addressing needs and challenges of Councils.
“We have dogged seven boreholes in seven districts within our jurisdiction in 2021, while we have completed the construction of Kanube Bridge,” disclosed Council’s Planning Officer Mr. Yaya Ceesay, during a presentation on Basse Area Council’s strategic plan. He also spoke of the public toilets Council built at Mankamang Kunda and Sare Ngai Lumos (weekly markets) to discourage open defecation.
BsAC Director of Finance, Mr. Lamin Suso, informed that they are currently sponsoring four students at Gambia College and the University of The Gambia (UTG), adding they want to serve their people to the best of their abilities.
The synergy also targets to create a platform for the generation and sharing of ideas between Councils and GALGA, promote culture of learning and sharing, have direct interactions with GALGA members, to strengthen mutual understanding between GALGA and Local Government Authorities and increase understanding of the effects of Covid-19 on Councils and the response mechanisms.
The president of GALGA who doubles as Chairman of Mansakonko Area Council, Mr. Landing B. Sanneh, explained that, “GALGA is an association of all the LGAs in The Gambia and has an obligation to respond to their needs when it comes to advocacy and service.”
He appreciated the good work of Basse Area Council, describing it as one of the most progressing Councils.
He advised: “You have to be inspired by your own selves. But if you disunite, you will be putting the future of LGAs in jeopardy.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Basse Area Council, Mr. Ousman Touray hailed the tour as a blessing to the Councils, noting it would allow them to share their successes and chart easy ways to fix the challenges.
