By: Nyima Sillah
As more cases of Coronavirus pandemic are discovered in the country, with the impact almost every city, council and region in the country is operating with uncertainty condition.
Council and region in The Gambia currently facing difficult trade as the pandemic impacted on so many areas such as economic, health, tourism, employment while social challenges are rising, too.
The impact of the Covid-19 particularly on Kanifing Municipal Council, the commercial city of the country, is enormous since the first registered case.
In an interview with Honorable Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the Lord Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council described the pandemic as a total surprise that has cut everybody off guard, which every leader understands but cannot predict anything about it. “But can only adapt to the situation,” which he said the KMC has adapted to.
Explaining measures taken by the KM as the pandemic continues, he said the council has cut down projects and budgets to “focus only on essential services.”
Covid-19, he said, has a huge impact on people’s livelihood in KM because the majorities in the community are operating in the informal sector and depend on daily sales in the market and shops. “But because of social distancing and State of Public Emergency they have been impacted greatly including those at the transport sector.
Mayor Bensouda pointed out among other steps taken which includes launching of various initiatives gears towards fighting against Covid-19. Though they don’t have grant or support but “We have launched food aid initiatives to give a few tasks base in the market, with Red Cross launched massive fumigation campaign to create more awareness.” In addition to that “we also launched the face-mask initiative called the 50,000 Face-Mask Initiative in which we recently handed 5000 masks to UTG, we have done the same for the market vendors and now we are focusing on schools,” he disclosed.
He noted that KM has really done well as an institution in response to Covid-19 and at the same time in terms of financial support.
He went further that Covid-19 has impacted their tax base greatly this included revenue streams hence they have very limited revenue streams as Council. “We only depend on license, property rate, market duties and rents so it greatly impacted on all those areas.”
While hoping that vaccine is discovered and ready soon, he confirmed that the damage has been done and it will take time before confidence comes back.
He encouraged the central government to do more to support the councils. “Although they are doing a lot but they should increase their efforts because this is not a onetime solution, it needs sustainable efforts that we must think along those lines for this country to be economically stable, “he said.
Further to this, he explained that the income that’s lost is barely recovering and there are people who depend on entertainment industry and other ceremonies, while on local level some skilled workers like photographers, tailors and others which they have been trying to actually engage them with Covid-19 funds.
“Our priority right now is the vulnerable people in the communities. We know it is a difficult moments and we hope government looks for sustainable intervention,” he added.
As social distancing is becoming more difficult task for some people to observe, he said the most important thing that could definitely be sustainable is compulsory wearing of face-mask and constant use of hand sanitizer.
Mayor Bensouda urged parents to constantly advice their school children especially Grade 9 students that recently resumed school to always wear face-mask and make sure they wear it throughout their school hours and periods.
“We need more outlets focusing on Covid-19 as much as we need sustainable efforts from the public and media because there are still needs for more sensitization and update on Covid-19. As some people are still thinking that the virus is not in The Gambia, therefore, it is the duty of the media to constantly remind everyone and reality of the Coronavirus pandemic,” he added.
The Lord Mayor implored everyone to continue exercising social distancing, wear face-mask, avoid crowded place and always wash hands as much as possible can “because prevention is better than cure. If you aren’t worried about yourself, worry about your family who can be more vulnerable. And as Council we will do all it takes to support our communities,” he promised.
