The management of Brikama Area Council recently handed over D5, 378, 756 as the council counterpart contributions to Gamworks.
According to BAC officials, the money, is sourced from the Rural Infrastructure Development Project (RIDP) for the construction of the BAC office building, Nemakunku Market, Kusamai-Sitanunku gravel road, Brikama car park rear access road, maintenance of the Sukuta-Mariama Kunda-Wellingara-Latrikunda roads and pavement of the Brikama Police Station mosque and the church fronts.
CEO of Brikama Area Council, Mam Sait Jallow said the project is jointly funded through the Opec Fund for International Development, The Gambia Government and BAC in the sum of D106, 972, 965.
He assured of his council’s continued commitment to providing development and services to the doorsteps of its citizenry in the most efficient, effective and accountable manner.
The interim chairman Brikama area council, Ousman Mohammed Cham, said the development challenges facing West Coast Region are enormous and that the significance of the area council cannot be overstated.
“However, the council must prove to the tax payers that it is able to deliver and that is why it is very important that we have these projects today to ease some of the challenges that we are facing in the council,” he said.
He continued: “Once we are able to deliver, those who are unwilling to pay tax will realise that this council is a council with a difference. I have no doubt that if the needed measures are put in place, BAC can be one of the most efficient councils to be reckoned with in the country.”
Mr Cham also hinted on the need to downsize the council’s staff, saying overstaffing is one of the biggest factors hindering its competitiveness.
The governor of the region, Bakary Sanyang, said it is reassuring for Gambians to see the commitment of government towards addressing the poverty gaps in the country. He exhorted the taxpayers to continue to pay their taxes if they want to continue enjoying developments in their areas.
The director general at Gamworks, Ebrima Cham, assured the government of his institution’s unflinching commitment towards implementing projects under their purview in an efficient and transparent manner.
The Minister of Lands and Regional Government, Lamin Dibba, said government is doing all it can to bring needed developments to the doorstep of every Gambians.
“We are aware of the challenges that are ahead of us and the impatience of Gambians. But I want to assure every Gambian that we are committed and ever determined to serve you to the best of our ability,” he said.
