By Aji Fatou Faal
National Assembly Members on Monday raised concern over the lateness of the president’s state of the nation address, suggesting that it should have been done earlier so that they could scrutinise it before the year ends.
Members raised these concerns when contributing to the debate on the President’s state of the nation address to the National Assembly last Thursday.
Sainey Jawara, the NAM for Lower Saloum urged the President and his technical team to improve on their timing of the address. He noted that National Assembly Members have a role to play for them to perform their oversight functions. “I did not see anything about electoral reforms and the reason we say New Gambia is because of the electoral reforms.”
The Saloum NAM opined that the issue of identity card is still a nightmare and the government cannot show anything relevant, adding that government must try and provide documentation for its citizens.
Ndey Yassin Secka, a nominated member said there are issues which are not even mentioned in the speech. She called for sincerity in all our actions. “If we are not sincere within ourselves, we will not prosper,” she said.
Sidia Jatta, NAM for Wuli East asked whether it is normal for them to debate on the speech without a single minister in the chamber.
Muhammed Ndow, Member for Banjul Central raised the deplorable state of Banjul roads and sewages, saying that the capital is in an alarming state and that all the roads and sewages are dilapidated with foul odour which is a big disgrace.
