Former KMC deputy runs for Mayor

Issued: Tuesday 26 March 2018

A one-time deputy chairman of Kanifing Municipal Council –KMC- has announced his intention to run for the Municipality Mayoral position as an independent candidate in the 12th May Mayoral elections.

Buba Senghore, who said he is passionate about development, told our reporter in an interview that with the new dispensation, The Gambia is on a new footing and needs dynamic leaders who will inject new ideas and change the development facets of the country.

Born in Serrekunda in 1962, Senghore spent his early childhood in Banjul and was able to see disparity at an early age between the poor and the rich through his encounter in the society. He was also inspired by progressive Pan-African people who have good intentions to defend the interest of poor people and to ensure that Africa moves ahead. “I was among the fortunate ones to set up various progressive organisations to give people a sense of direction and focus for them to be part of the group for progressive change within the sub-region,” he said.

Mr. Senghore has also worked with communities in establishing institutions and organisations that are still of benefit to the Gambian masses and has also been in contact with NGOs, CSOs and human rights organisations in trying to bring development to the country.

“Councils need dynamic people who are in touch with the people and know their concerns and can deliver at the end of the day. I stand a chance of winning because for over 40 years I have made political, social, economic, religious, sports and cultural investment in the municipality and communities,” he said.

Mr. Senghore said he is not a new person to the people of KMC and he does not need to be popularising himself to them, saying he is a custodian of development and has worked with people in all sectors. “What I have invested is more than what they are investing.”

He said his vision is to ensure that development is mainstreamed and structured within the Council to bring a system of, for and by the people. “I want to be a mayor for the people and with the people which is why I am vying as an Independent candidate. I am not saying that other parties are not good. You can have good parties with good manifestos and programmes but the implementations differ, that is where we have problems.”

He said if he is elected Mayor, KMC will be open to all parties, adding that he will also closely work with all ward development committees with technocrats within the municipality and with  the government and government agencies, NGOs, private sector, CSOs and all relevant stakeholders to achieve their vision together.

He called on the people of the Municipality to be united, saying there cannot be development without unity. He also promised to passionately work to ensure that people in organisations are strengthened and organised.