By: Haruna Kuyateh
A week-long districts consultative meeting with alkalolu, women and youths of North Bank Region (NBR) has been wrapped up in Illiasa and Kinteh Kunda Janneh Ya in Upper and Lower Badibou,
The meetings were organised by Governor Lamin Saidykhan and members of Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to interact with local authorities, women and youths, with the ultimate objective of knowing the development needs and impact of interventions by institutions and NGOs.
The community of Central Badibou has called on government and NGOs to support them with saving devices to reduce drudgery, expansion of electricity supply, and construction of roads. The call was made during day 5 of the consultative meeting.
Governor Lamin Saidykhan described the outcomes of the community engagement as very informative, noting that the technicians are fully aware of the needs to support communities in all sphere of development to improve their lives and livelihood.
He stated that his office would engage various departments, NGOs and humanitarian organisations to mobilize adequate resources to respond to the needs of communities.
Governor Saidykhan reiterated the need for communities to be law abiding and work with security on promoting the maintenance of peace and stability.
Ansumana Kinteh Regional Police Commissioner reaffirmed Gambia Police Force zero tolerance to all forms of crimes including drugs trafficking, unlawful act by beating thieves to death. Commenting on road accidents, Commissioner Kinteh disclosed that plan are in place to work with Village Development Committees (VDCs) to control stray animals on major settlement along the highway.
Ensa Jawara Regional Immigration Commissioner enlightened the public on immigration laws, nationality, citizenship and registration of aliens with Immigration officials. He urged Gambians to procure their national documents and avoid abetting foreigners from getting Gambians documents.
Basiru Mbye PRO of GRA Task force in NBR call on people’s and business communities to be tax compliance and register their businesses, while Alagie Jawara Regional Community Development Officer, Bubakary Fatty of Physical Planning Office in Farafenni, Mam Samba Joof Executive Director of ADWAC and Ousainou Cham Regional Principal Forestry Officer, BakaryJammeh chief rep of Upper Badibou and chief Fabala Fadia Kinteh of Lower Badibou Minteh Kunda, Alkalos and Ida Camara all made comments at the meeting.