By Rohey Drammeh
Banjul City Council in partnership with the Gambia Transport Union and Gambia Armed Forces recently started a massive cleaning exercise that is designed to last for a month or so as the rainy season commences.
The cleaning is being conducted in three different areas namely Grant Street, Lesso Wharf and Banjul North commonly known as Tobacco Road.
Speaking during one of the exercises, the Public Relations Officer at the BCC Sandigie Njie, said the exercise was meant to clean and prioritise vulnerable areas to floods.
“As we all know that the raining season has commenced, we are trying to prioritise the areas that are susceptible to floods”.
CEO Mustapha Bachilly of the BCC urged Banjulians to take up responsibility of the City by promoting such exercises.
“The Council can’t do it all alone. Let Banjulians take responsibility in keeping the city clean.”
The military leaders from Fajara and Yundum Barracks also took part in the event.
Lieutenant Jerreh Manneh, who led the team from Fajara Barracks under the Gambia National Guards, said: “We are here as instructed by our command to join hands with the BCC in this exercise, knowing full well that without a clean environment people’s health might be in danger.
“It is our responsibility as Gambians to help in cleaning the environment at any given time.”
Captain Lamin Sambou from the Defense Head Quarters in Yundum, said “a city has to be clean especially our capital city Banjul; that’s why we came here as instructed to us, to give a helping hand to Banjul City Council to clean the water ways.”
The president of The Gambia transport union Omar Ceesay assured the council of his union’s unflinching support and backing, adding that their doors are open for any development process in the country.
Councilors from Portuguese and Jollof Town Wards, Babu Jack and Abdoulie Gaye Boss, respectively, called for attitudinal change towards the environment.
“As councilors we will now take an action towards illegal dumping in the waterways. We all see Banjul is very dirty, even if we spend five years of cleaning it, it will not be easily realised, unless we change our attitudes.”
