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.