Germany-based Banjulian donates hearse to BCC

By Aminata Ceesay The Banjul City Council has recently received a Mercedes Benz from a native of Banjul residing in Germany to be used for funeral services for the community of Banjul and the Gambia at large. The handing over ceremony was held at the Banjul City Council. Receiving the hearse, the Mayor of Banjul, Abdoulie Bah, expressed sincere gratitude for what he referred to as a kind gesture. He further noted that the funeral vehicle is for both Muslim and Christian communities in Banjul and the Gambia at large. “On behalf of the City Council and the entire City of Banjul, I am thanking the donor and the entire diaspora community for their usual support to meet the needs of Banjul and the Gambia at large,” he remarked. Mayor Bah added that Banjul is the only local council to have funeral vans that serves the whole country, and further stated that when he took office in 2013, there was only one funeral van. According to him, due to the high demand, he took the second for maintenance to meet the demand. “The two vans were not enough, sometimes I offered people my own personal vehicle on gratis to be able to transport their dead bodies for burial or to other parts of the country. This is why I seek help from Alhagie Bubacarr Bob from the diaspora to at least see what he can do to help with a vehicle to help serve the people,” he said. Mayor Bah disclosed that this is not the first time Mr Bob is helping the community of Banjul, adding that Mr. Bob has been helping in various projects like building toilet facilities at the main Banjul Cemetery among other projects at the mortuary as well. Mayor Bah also took the opportunity to thank the Gambian community in the diaspora, and called for a representation of the diaspora community to the local council to be considered, and concluded in praying for peace and stability for the country. In handing over the keys to the Mayor, Alhagie Bubacarr Bob said he is doing this for the sake of God. Explaining what motivates him to venture into helping his own community back home, Mr. Bob said he has been observing the situation of the Gambia at both the mortuary and the cemetery and some of the challenges people face. He said he has brought along two dead bodies to the Gambia from Germany but faced challenges in transportation. “So I deemed it necessary to at least help in one way or the other in providing certain things to make these services available, and easily accessible for the community of Banjul,” Bob remarked. He said he is from Half Die and he always has in mind that he has a duty and responsibility to help his community back home. He assured the community of his continuous support.]]>