Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, interim leader for Alliance for Patriotic Re- orientation and Construction (APRC) said that the congress aimed at electing and structuring the party ahead of the next presidential election.
He commended the founder of APRC for leading the party and the country for the past twenty- two years, saying that ex- president Jammeh had developed the country on various aspects, ranging from tolerant, socio economic and infrastructural developments.
Jatta, was speaking during the opening of the sixth national congress of APRC party at Fatima Senior Secondary School in Bwiam, Foni Kansala District in West Coast Region.
“We, the people of this great and noble party in order to form a more perfect political party, need to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for common defence, promote the general welfare and the blessing of liberty and sovereignty to ourselves to ensure sustainable development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet up their own needs,” he said.
He added that: “Never has our country faced challenges and crisis as we do now. We asked ourselves how best we can draw on the best of our people for self reliance and patriotism, calling for the spirit of ingenuity and citizenry participation to achieve free, democratic, just and responsible society.” s
Jatta called on APRC militants to return to the party‘s constitution so as to bring them together as one people and for one vision to ensure that they would bring back hope to the Gambian people, “This can be achieved through putting national interest before individual interest,” he added.
He revealed that many had blamed the past regime, citing mismanagement of finances, allegations of misappropriation of tax payer’s money; concerns over human rights abuses and the absence of freedom of speech and expression. But he outlined some factors that details the mismanagement by the Adama Barrow’s government, such as lack of good governance, rule of law, security and other factors causing living conditions and livelihoods of Gambians to be deteriorated and people’s human rights being eroded as well.
Ousman Rambo Jatta, the 1st Deputy Party Leader for APRC described the congress as additional evidence of principles of Unity, Self-Reliance and Progress which was always championed by their party leader, will never be deferred. Noting that they are competently united; therefore attainment of goals is accessible.
He noted that APRC has believed in the equality of all and sundry, adding that this is a belief that all Gambians, regardless of their background, has equal standing in the public forum.
“All of us believed in these ideas so firmly that we are all inclusive in an exclusive party; therefore, lets everybody come on board,” he emphasized.
He revealed that his party believes that the people are the source of all government power; and that the authority of the people should be extended, not restricted, stating that, this can be achieved only by providing each citizen with every opportunity in the management of the government. We believe that the government which represents the authority of the people is not just for one interest group but all.
Author: Sulayman Waan