BCC`s director of finance Abdoulie Nyang lamented that Gambians are subletting market shops and stalls to non-Gambians at prices lower than what they are paying to the council. He said to address the problem, council will embark on a vigorous deregistration of shops to ensure that shops are only allocated to Gambians. Mr Nyang called for the collection of car park fees to be re-assigned to the police, saying they are not satisfied with GRA collection. He also expressed concern over the involvement of institutions like NRA, GLMA and GT Board on tax collection in the city. Councilors said the GRA is levying huge taxes on market vendors, stalls and shops which impact negatively on people’s livelihoods and the economy. They said the market is virtually empty as market vendors, stalls and shops owners could not afford to pay the charges. They urged the law makers to continue to dialogue with councils for enhanced service delivery. The deputies praised Mayor Bah for his commitment to the development of the city and its people. They advised him to take note of the landscape of the city in his drive to give it a phase lift. The law makers also enjoined the council to respect authority and be a role model in the country.
Meanwhile, the Kanifing Municipality has signed a cooperation agreement with Mohammadia Municipality in Morocco. Speaking at a press briefing at his office on Thursday Lord Mayor Yankuba Colley explained that he recently led a delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco where the agreement was signed. He said the cooperation is centered on economic, environmental and urban development as well as culture, sports and experience sharing between the two municipalities. Mayor Colley expressed optimism that the deal will further strengthen the brotherly ties between The Gambia and Morocco. Chief Executive Officer Kanifing Municipal Council, Mustapha Njie, made similar remarks.
In another development, a training on entrepreneurship for community forest officers and representatives of producer organisations has ended in Janjanbureh. Addressing the participants regional government official Wassabo Darboe said building the capacities of producer organisations would enable them access more markets. He urged the participants to disseminate the knowledge gained. The national coordinator of the Forest and Farm Facility project Kanimang Camara said the project seeks to promote cross-sectoral coordination and enhance the organization and capacity of local people for forest and farm community advocacy, livelihood and sustainable landscape management.
Meanwhile, the Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan North Bank Region in partnership with the Sustainable Land Management Project (SLMP) recently trained farmers on tree nursery establishment and management. The two-day training which targeted 24 farmers across the region was held at the Chamen Agricultural and Seed Multiplication Centre. Speaking at the forum the regional agricultural director, Dr Saikou Sanyang, said boosting the capacity of farmers on tree nursery management, pest and disease control will enhance the regeneration of trees, sustainable land management and environmental protection. The SLMP project field Coordinator for NBR Miki Jawla, noted that sustainable land management calls for concerted efforts. The Field Supervisor for the project and focal point Bakary Jammeh and Sana Singhateh respectively both pointed out that effective nursery management will enable communities to sustain sound environmental management. The Regional Forestry Officer NBR Ebou Janha and Pest management specialist Batch Samba Njie both commended the organisers for the initiative.
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