By: Kemo Kanyi
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of the KanifingMunicipal Council (KMC), has stated that The Gambia is currently facing crisis in sectors like education, health and youth employment, adding that these are key drivers for national security and economic stability.
As he extended his condolences to the families thatlost their loved ones through the ‘Backway’, the mayor amplified the importance of addressing pressing national concerns to safeguard the livesand livelihoods of the citizenry.
Speaking at the UDP Diaspora meeting in Seattlerecently, Bensouda said he was concerned about, what he called, the country’s economic degradation by being part of the 20 most vulnerable countries in the world (V20).
‘’It is sad to note that The Gambia is ranked in the category of the V20. This is an indication The Gambia is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world. The Gambia is classified as one of the poorest nations. This has ended the debate without mentioning the problems Gambians are faced with at home,” he bemoaned.
Bensouda asserted that the Diaspora was alive to the issues that Gambians battle because family members call them every month for money.
Recognizing the importance of the Diaspora intervention in the Gambia’s economic stability, the KMC mayor said remittances in-flow makes the biggest contributions to the country’s economy.
‘’Remittances sent by Gambian Diaspora are about $800, 000, 000(eight hundred million dollars) per year. Your contributions to the Gambian economy are more than agriculture, factory (manufacturing and production) and the business sector contribution. The Gambia is one of the countries that are leaning on Diaspora for help. That is why we felt it necessary to engage and listen to your side of the story and this platform gives us that opportunity,’’ Bensouda acknowledged.
He called on every UDP militant to work hand in glove to install a UDP government in the next presidential election.