By Alagie Manneh
Rohey Malick Lowe said she has already united the people of Banjul and has since turned her attention to creating more employment opportunities for the capital’s women and youths.
The first elected women mayor got less than 30% of the total votes cast in Banjul, leading to assertions that a good number of Banjulians did not vote for her, but she bullishly brushed that aside, saying “numbers don’t matter” as she has already succeeded in reuniting Banjul.
“This is not a matter of 20% or 30%. As you know we had nine candidates and all of them are Banjulians. I am grateful because the 30% means a lot. It means I have 70% of the votes. If you tell me how I will bring Banjulians together, we did that already and only need to reinforce it now.”
Outlining priorities for her first 100 days in office, Mayor Lowe told The Standard: “My immediate priorities are youth and women employment; meaning that we are looking forward to get jobs for the youths and microfinance for the women.
“Also, we would work to fix toilets in the market and get vehicles for garbage collection. These are our first priorities.”
On what the election of Banjul’s first female mayor means for Gambian women politicians, Madam Lowe said: “It means a lot. It means especially in Banjul, the women are prepared for a challenge. We have changed the history books and are well prepared for the battle. I am grateful because the people have spoken very well. Banjulians listened to me. They are prepared for the change.”
A daughter of a former popular mayor, Malick Lowe of Banjul, Rohey said politically, she learned nothing from her father, and returned gratitude to the UDP who taught her politics.
“I will excel more than my father,” she said.
But according to a political observer in Banjul, the capital is “still split. Six independents vied for Banjul. So, as it stands, I can definitely tell you the City is far from united.”
However, many Banjulians including political opponents of Mayor Lowe thumped up her attempts to reconcile the people of the capital right from the moment she was declared the victor at last Saurday’s poll.
