Back and Next - Back and NextUnite for Banjul - Jammeh urges Banjulians
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
President Jammeh has urged Banjulians to close ranks and work for the interest of the capital city, as he wrapped up the 2008 ‘Dialogue with the People Tour’ on Sunday, at the July 22 Square, Banjul.
Addressing thousands of supporters at the square, President Jammeh used the opportunity to thank all those who had in one way or the other contributed to the success of the tour.
The president then talked of the political difference that trailed the last general elections in the capital and thanked Alieu Mboge, the director general of the Gambia Tourism Authority, mayor Samba Faal, Nancy Njie, the secretary of state for Tourism and Culture and Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, former secretary of state for Communications and Information Technology, for delivering unity to the Banjulians. He told the gathering that Banjul is a small city, where disunity must not be allowed. “I am therefore delighted with the unity in Banjul today,” he said.
The president warned genuine APRC supporters against opposition elements in green-coloured outfits, pretending to be APRC militants. He advised Banjulians to avoid such individuals, as they are usually bend on poisoning the mindset of true APRC supporters.
President Jammeh then gave the crowd a flashback of Banjul’s glory. “There was a time when Banjul was the most decent capital in Africa, but it has lost its face when the people voted in for an opposition mayor who did not do anything in Banjul, but selling public toilets. At that time, when I entered Banjul, I felt ashamed because of the untidy environment”, he recalled.
President Jammeh advised the people to reject independent candidates, who give promises to join APRC party, when voted into office. He stressed that there has never been any independent-APRC candidate in the country.
Assuring the Banjulians of his determination to live up to his promises, the president expressed his preparedness to transform Banjul into one of the best capitals in the West African sub-region.
He then dismissed excuses that Banjulians cannot respond to his call for back to the land, saying that “you have the river, where you can engage in fishing and other farming activities to be self-reliant. But unfortunately, foreigners are utilising the opportunities. Over US$12 million fishing project is in Banjul today, but 98 per cent of the employees are foreigners”.
He stressed the need for a changes of attitude, especially among the youth folk. He urged them to engage in skillful activities, emphasising that without hard work, poverty cannot be eradicated in the country.
Yankuba Touray, the secretary of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, elaborated major projects embarked upon by the Jammeh administration, pointing to the coastal protection project and the electrification of the capital city. SoS Touray highlighted a US$4 million electricity project from Kanifing Municipality to Banjul, a US$8 million for a special port for fishermen, amongst others.
He then called on the people to support President Jammeh’s back to the land call, saying that independence is not just about raising a country’s flag, but to be food self-sufficient as a nation.
Samba Faal, the mayor of Banjul, presented a cheque of D200,000 for the rehabilitation of Banjul mini-stadium and another one for D812,160 for the construction of the gutters at Spalden, Hills, Ma Samba, Primet, Dobson and Gloucester streets, as his council’s counterpart contribution to Gamworks.
Other speakers at the meeting included SoS Nancy Njie, Alhagie OB Conateh, Pa Ebou Sanneh, a youth mobiliser, Aji Fatou Sallah, deputy APRC national mobiliser.
The meeting, the BCC presented certificates of appreciation to President Jammeh, Alhaji OB Conateh, amongst many other public figures and distinguished Gambians for their support to the council.
At the end of the ceremony, President Jammeh also presented a brand new van to the National Patriotic Students Association.
Addressing thousands of supporters at the square, President Jammeh used the opportunity to thank all those who had in one way or the other contributed to the success of the tour.
The president then talked of the political difference that trailed the last general elections in the capital and thanked Alieu Mboge, the director general of the Gambia Tourism Authority, mayor Samba Faal, Nancy Njie, the secretary of state for Tourism and Culture and Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, former secretary of state for Communications and Information Technology, for delivering unity to the Banjulians. He told the gathering that Banjul is a small city, where disunity must not be allowed. “I am therefore delighted with the unity in Banjul today,” he said.
The president warned genuine APRC supporters against opposition elements in green-coloured outfits, pretending to be APRC militants. He advised Banjulians to avoid such individuals, as they are usually bend on poisoning the mindset of true APRC supporters.
President Jammeh then gave the crowd a flashback of Banjul’s glory. “There was a time when Banjul was the most decent capital in Africa, but it has lost its face when the people voted in for an opposition mayor who did not do anything in Banjul, but selling public toilets. At that time, when I entered Banjul, I felt ashamed because of the untidy environment”, he recalled.
President Jammeh advised the people to reject independent candidates, who give promises to join APRC party, when voted into office. He stressed that there has never been any independent-APRC candidate in the country.
Assuring the Banjulians of his determination to live up to his promises, the president expressed his preparedness to transform Banjul into one of the best capitals in the West African sub-region.
He then dismissed excuses that Banjulians cannot respond to his call for back to the land, saying that “you have the river, where you can engage in fishing and other farming activities to be self-reliant. But unfortunately, foreigners are utilising the opportunities. Over US$12 million fishing project is in Banjul today, but 98 per cent of the employees are foreigners”.
He stressed the need for a changes of attitude, especially among the youth folk. He urged them to engage in skillful activities, emphasising that without hard work, poverty cannot be eradicated in the country.
Yankuba Touray, the secretary of state for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, elaborated major projects embarked upon by the Jammeh administration, pointing to the coastal protection project and the electrification of the capital city. SoS Touray highlighted a US$4 million electricity project from Kanifing Municipality to Banjul, a US$8 million for a special port for fishermen, amongst others.
He then called on the people to support President Jammeh’s back to the land call, saying that independence is not just about raising a country’s flag, but to be food self-sufficient as a nation.
Samba Faal, the mayor of Banjul, presented a cheque of D200,000 for the rehabilitation of Banjul mini-stadium and another one for D812,160 for the construction of the gutters at Spalden, Hills, Ma Samba, Primet, Dobson and Gloucester streets, as his council’s counterpart contribution to Gamworks.
Other speakers at the meeting included SoS Nancy Njie, Alhagie OB Conateh, Pa Ebou Sanneh, a youth mobiliser, Aji Fatou Sallah, deputy APRC national mobiliser.
The meeting, the BCC presented certificates of appreciation to President Jammeh, Alhaji OB Conateh, amongst many other public figures and distinguished Gambians for their support to the council.
At the end of the ceremony, President Jammeh also presented a brand new van to the National Patriotic Students Association.
Author: by Alhagie Jobe
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