Banjul
City Council (BCC) yesterday commenced a four-day finance and performance
retreat at the council’s chambers in Banjul.
As
a service delivery institution, the retreat serves as a platform to gauge and
measure the service delivery of the council.
It
would also serve to help the council to reflect on issues revolving within and
outside the council, in order to apply corrective measures needed to
continually register resounding successes in its goals.
As
testimony of the council’s positive transformative process, this was the first
time that an intertwined finance and performance retreat was being held, unlike
previously when separate financial retreats were held.
In
her remarks at the opening of the retreat, the deputy mayoress of BCC, Awa
Sillah-Njie, said she was extremely delighted to be part of the monumental
stride in the council’s history.
The
council is going through a positive transformative process, as previously a
financial retreat was separately held, but today an intertwined financial and
performance retreat is being held
The
retreat would add impetus to their concerted efforts as policymakers in their
attempts to uplift the standards of the city of Banjul in all facets of
positive development, she added.
The
deputy mayoress hailed her council for deeming it fit and appropriate to have
such a review, as it would further encourage and motivate members of staff,
once the gaps, strengths, weaknesses, among others, are identified to map out
the way forward.
Mrs
Njie also reaffirmed her dedication to the fulfillment of the council’s
aspirations.
“I
remain resolute and steadfast in my commitment to see to it that Banjul is
transformed to another level of the pedestal, as we continue to resolve and
evolve with the fervent belief that sooner, the capital city will regain part
of its lost glory.’’
Mrs
Njie commended the two chairmen and all her council members, for their
unwavering commitment and dedication towards the successful implementation of
the review.
She
urged them to keenly take note of the lessons that would be learned during the
cycle of the retreat, to come out with tangible goals in order to holistically
address the needs and aspirations of the council in providing substantial service
delivery to inhabitants of the capital city.
Alhaji
Sandigie Njie, BCC PRO, in his remarks on the occasion, said as an institution
under the spheres of social contract and service delivery, this foremost joint
retreat would enable the council to examine how far they have gone, and look
for a way forward to perform better and meet the expectations of their people.
The
council’s CEO Mustapha Batchilly echoed similar sentiments.
