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A new mandate calls for more development

Nov 29, 2011, 12:22 PM

Having secured 72% of the total votes cast in the just-concluded presidential election, as declared by the IEC, the APRC government has more to do.

We are referring to the poor road conditions in most parts of the country, especially in rural Gambia. They need to create more employment opportunities for the country’s unemployed youths, mechanizing the agricultural sector, promoting press freedom in the country and respect for human rights generally, and so on.

When people vote for you, they expect you to improve their living condition from the poverty they are struggling with now to a better living standard.

They want you to do something about the purchasing of their farm produce, especially groundnuts.

People also expect the government to provide more scholarships for children, irrespective of their party affiliation.

Indeed, the new mandate calls for a greater commitment and hard work on the side of the APRC government.

It means you must work hard to tackle corruption and nepotism, should it occur anywhere in the system.

The government must be responsive to the needs and aspirations of the citizenry, if it has to continue to win their confidence.

You should open a new chapter in dealing with the media, since no government can do without us.

According to IEC report, the APRC candidate Yahya Jammeh secured 72% of the votes cast.

This implies that the electorate expects a lot from the candidate to save them from suffering and any hardship.

Gambian youngsters, for instance, need more skills centres, more decent jobs, access to quality healthcare, access to affordable and quality higher education, and more recreational facilities, among others.