He described the President’s Ramadan gift as a symbol of unity, caring and sharing among Muslims.
The mayor of Banjul made these remarks during the sugar distribution ceremony on Tuesday, at the Banjul City Council.
Mayor Bah further referred to President Jammeh’s gift as a kind gesture, welcomed by everyone within the country, especially in Banjul.
Lord Mayor Bah said: “Islam as a religion requires caring and sharing; as a result, we are in the holiest month of Ramadan, in which caring and sharing amongst Muslims is very necessary.”
He pointed out that the President himself always emphasised the importance of caring and sharing among Muslims, as well as helping each other.
According to him, the sugar would go a long way in helping the needy who could not afford it in the month of Ramadan.
He said 388 bags of sugar were given to him as the share of Banjul from the President’s gift.
Mayor Bah added that the President could have used the money for other purposes, but rather decided to plough the money back to the community, “which is commendable”.
Explaining the distribution of the sugar, the mayor said he was the one supervising it himself, and the sugar would be distributed to all the nine wards in Banjul.
Mayor Bah said he would give 17 bags to each council of the nine wards, and 15 for each councillor would be distributed among their electorate within their respective wards.
He said the two remaining bags would be with the council for those who were not able to have from the 15 bags, to at least give them some from it.
Mayor Bah said the sugar is not to satisfy everyone’s need, but rather to be given to the needy people.
He said sugar would also be distributed to the entire 38 mosques in Banjul, to the elders, youths of Banjul, as well as other different organisations who use to participate in the development of the city.
This time around, Mayor Bah noted, the distribution would go as far as Bond Road and Women Fish Smokers around the beach side, adding that the whole community of Banjul would at least have the share of the sugar.
He urged the local councils to emulate the President’s gesture in buying sugar and sharing it with the local authority in the coming years.
The local councils should also try to be buying sugar, at least 20 bags, in complementing the President’s effort,” he stated.
Mayor Bah also cited an example of the National Assembly Member for Banjul South, who used to buy sugar and share it among the people of Banjul South.
The Mayor thanked the President for the kind gesture on behalf of the entire people of Banjul, and urged the general public to make the best use of the sugar.
It was reported earlier that President Jammeh on Monday afternoon distributed 6400 bags (50kg) of sugar to the Muslim community in the country, as his annual traditional gift in observance of the holy month of Ramadan.
