Kebba
E. Jallow, the first elected chairman of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has
said he is considering whether or not to contest for the forthcoming Mayoral
elections.
Speaking
in an interview with The Point yesterday, Mr Jallow said if he is to contest
for Mayoral election his previous records would speak for themselves for people
to determine.
“I
believe I will be a very competitive candidate,” he remarked, saying time will
come when he will decide.
He pointed out that his way of politics is to
wait for people to approach and encourage him to contest, saying that trying to
promote himself is too shortsighted.
He said people have approached him to contest
to continue the good work he started when his 4-year work term was cut short
because of the 1994 coup d’état.
“I
am thinking seriously about it but have not decided yet,” he stated, saying if
he is to run he believes he will be a very competitive candidate.
He
said that in the event he contests and is elected he would bring in new
dispensation to continue from where they stopped.
He
would continue to fight for the ideas of his then council; fight for the
aspirations of former council members who passed away; and re-establish the
good international relations they built among others.
By
bringing those things together, Mr Jallow said they can develop the
infrastructure, among others, as council is limited to what it should do.
He
said his best plan is to sit down with government and map out a way on areas
they can collaborate for the development of the municipality.
Generally,
he went on, he want to focus on the green space of KMC as he had noticed “there
is virtually no green space”.
“We
have wide streets all littered with vehicles uncared, Jallow who has widely
travelled said, noting that council can do much better.
He
observed that there are more challenges in the council now, saying, it is
congested although it now has a wider revenue base.
He
also said the department of health were responsible for waste management and
contracted Saihou Ceesay & Sons, but the then council took over and started
the collection.
“Waste
collection has to be properly managed,” he further said, adding that, he plans
to sit down with council, even if he is not in council, to help them find
solution to some of their challenges, with regard to waste management.
“I am ready to work with people, especially
the new government, to see where I can assist in any way possible,” he said.
The
former KMC chairman who have been away for 22 years, admitted that, it has not
been easy to come in and join the environment which has changed a lot, saying,
the condition of the country is below his expectations but we have found new
freedom in which we have to all come together to fight for its sustenance and
maintenance.
“I
have lived through ciaos in this country and never in the lifetime of any
Gambia should we be associated with Coup d’état again,” he noted, saying, new
Gambia offers hope to all both within and beyond The Gambia.
According
to Jallow, he will do whatever he can to assist in the preservation of the peace,
freedom and the rule of law we have gained.
“I
have invested heavily into what we have today, I have dedicated my life, time
and resources while in the Diaspora advocating for new Gambia,” he went on,
adding that he will continue to fight and help government in maintaining what
the country has.
He
congratulated all Gambians within and out in the Diaspora who, without
wavering, maintained pressure on Jammeh’s government until Gambians were able
to see the truth.
He
saluted and congratulated President Barrow and his government for their effort,
considering the little resources they have as well as the scattered nature of
governance in the country.
He
said “they have done wonderfully well for the past 7 months by keeping us at
peace and giving us hope”.
The
Gambia is changing very fast for the better, said Mr Jallow, who is very
familiar with local activities as he had worked at municipal level since 1977
and served in various committees.
Jallow,
who was elected first Chairman of KMC in 1991 and served for 4 years, said that
during that time they did their best under difficult circumstances but also operated
under an enabling environment as there was rule of law with good counsellors
who were dedicated and instrumental in taking the council to a higher level.
“Barrow
has a good dominion and he is extremely nice and I see no doubt where he can
fail,” he said, adding: “President Barrow has the country at heart and will do
his best to make sure the country goes forward.”
