The Chief Executive Officer, Brikama Area Council, Mr. Modou Jonga has strongly called for timely payment of taxes. He described timely payment of taxes as very crucial to the council.
According to him payment of taxes is the only way that can help the council to address the needs and aspiration of the taxpayers or plough back to the taxpayers in the form of development projects and programs.
He made this appealed while delivering a statement during the presentation of D1,208,000 to various communities in the West Coast Region (WCR) for development project at their community.
According to the CEO, presentation of such amount could have not been realised if the taxpayers were not paying their taxes and on time.
The CEO therefore used the opportunity to thank the taxpayers for the compliancy while challenging them to ensure that they pay their taxes on time.
Regarding the presentation the CEO said the BAC is proud to make another presentation of cheques to three communities and provide financial assistance to 110 students. He said these supports are in line with the council strategic objectives and development approach with emphasise on people taking the lead in their own development activities.
He went on that the basis of the council development approach, 60% of the total revenue is committed to direct community development and promote community participation as an essential factor of success and sustainability.
In overall, these interventions are expected to enhance the creation of recreational facilities for the young people, improve access to safe drinking water as basis human rights and improve the socio-economic status of the inhabitants of the communities.
Commenting on the financial aid, he said the council is giving aid to a total of 50 female students and 60 males across 68 UBS and 42 SSS in the West Coast Region. “We are all aware, that Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted economic activities of parents and guardians thus finding it difficult to pay the school fees of their children. We hope that this financial assistance will mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions,” he said.
The BAC CEO also elaborated on the presentation of cheques to three communities and financial assistance to the students and textbooks for upper Basic Schools. The financial assistance to the school include an upgrade of Solar water pumping system in Toubakuta village in the sum of D488, 000.00, completion of the perimeter fence of the Mamuda village mini-stadium in the sum of D250, 000.00, completion of a community market at Mamuda village in the sum of D200, 000.00 and financial assistance to 110 students in the Sum of D270, 000.00 and donation of 100 textbooks entitled; Comprehensive Social and Environmental studies for Upper Basic Schools.
Honorable Sherifo Sonko, chairman of Brikama Area Council described the presentation as ‘another development historic making achievement of the BAC by extending council long hand to the communities.’
He said it was the promised that they made to the electorates to plough back 60 percent of the money generated to the communities in the form of projects and programs. He assured the community that this kind of development will continue at their doorstep, while challenging them to pay their rates and taxes on time.
Other speakers include the Governor of West Coast Region Mr. Lamin Sanneh, Regional education director region 2 Lamin Fatajo, and the chairperson of the education committee Fatou Jallow.