The National Disaster Management Agency and the Ministries of Health and of Environment should collaborate with Municipalities and Area Councils to ensure the cleanliness of the environment and the security and safety of the people, especially those living in high risk areas in KMC and Banjul.
Mr President, stakeholders like the National Roads Authority should be concerned and made to participate in the construction and rehabilitation of drainage systems, fixing up of potholes and the monthly cleaning exercise. To keep the Municipalities in good shape calls for coequal responsibility between Central government and the Municipalities and Area Councils.
Mr President, the national monthly cleaning exercise (set settal) should be revived, and carried out without hindering or stopping business transactions during the hours of the exercise. Health inspectors and officials of the Department of Environment should monitor the exercise, and defaulters should be penalised.
Mr President, on political climate in the country, it has been noted that over the year, politics has polarised the nation, which should not be the case. We should all work to promote peace, unity and development to salvage the country from hardship, mainly caused by high cost of living. We should learn to always bury the hatchet and resist politicising developments. If we politicise development initiatives, we will not be just to our duties and be fair to the people on whose behalf institutions have been created to serve them. It is, therefore, hoped that non-partisan drive will push quick actions on this vital services and felt needs of the people.
Mr President, the political exchanges between politicians some of which are nasty and uncalled for, is not serving the best interest of the nation. We must not make toxic the political atmosphere when this is not the time for the race to the seat of power. Of concern to the people is how to move the country forward and politicians with the vision and ideas in this context will do well with the people. The days of political ignorance are over and politicians must not take the people for granted. Politicians who are unable to critically examine the themes of the times in which we live in this country will be carried along in the wake of change. Maximum talks on development and minimum talks on political castigation is the logical option politicians should pursue to win the confidence and trust of the Gambian electorate in the fullness of time.
Mr President, the media, which is playing a key role in society, should not be used for defamatory remarks by the politicians; media owners should be firm to go against abusive languages and baseless accusations. The authorities should monitor the social media, which is also utilised to carry statements that bring instability in the country.
Good day!