She clarified that the council had disbursed only one million dalasis towards the initiative, funds which were used to pay the salaries of 80 newly employed young people and to purchase essential cleaning equipment.
In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability, Mayor Lowe presented contract documents and detailed lists of procured items to the press, inviting scrutiny and public confidence in the process.
Mayor Lowe emphasised that the project is not merely about cleanliness, but about dignity, modernisation, and youth empowerment. “This is about building a capital city that reflects the pride of our nation and offers opportunities for our young people,” she declared.
“This project is meant for the development of the people of Banjul. It will be done transparently. What I am looking for is a clean city and a city ready to empower its people,” she said.
Mayor Lowe reaffirmed her commitment to leaving behind a legacy of a cleaner, more empowered city. “No one can stop us. This project is for the development of Banjul, and we will ensure it continues,” she emphasised.
Partnership with Refela
Mayor Lowe highlighted the role of Refela, the implementing partner of the project, which has been working with the Banjul City Council (BCC) since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2019.
Since then, she said, Refela has spearheaded several initiatives, including sending dozens of Banjul youths abroad for training in youth empowerment, digging boreholes in rural Gambia and funding scholarships for students, supporting families during the COVID-19 pandemic, and introducing the Bloomberg project through its partnership with BCC.
Mayor Lowe dismissed claims that the council had given Refela D5 million, clarifying that only D1 million was disbursed. Of this, over D500,000 has gone towards salaries, with each of the 80 workers earning D7,000 monthly.
She also revealed that three waste trucks and street lights are already available for deployment in Banjul. “I want to leave a good legacy before I leave. If you feel what we are doing is not correct, go to court – our courts are free,” she asserted.
Challenges and collective responsibility
Despite progress, Mayor Lowe acknowledged challenges, particularly the recurring problem of residents dumping waste in areas that had just been cleaned. She urged citizens to take ownership of the project and avoid politicising the initiative.
“We are now working with the police and municipal police to ensure waste is not indiscriminately thrown on highways. We implore the judiciary to impose heavy penalties on offenders. This has to be a collective responsibility,” she said, warning passengers against littering the city, with a view to safeguard the city’s newly launched clean-up initiative.
With Christmas approaching, she encouraged residents to celebrate peacefully while keeping the city clean.
Mining Company
Responding to journalists during questions and answer session regarding the people who are protesting about the project, Mayor Lowe stated: “I will not go further into the matter, because they have already written to the CEO. However, there are documents which clearly prove that the claims being made are entirely false.”
On the issue of mining company, she said: “The mining company has never paid the council a single penny. The allegation that the company paid the council twenty million is entirely untrue. While the company is indeed obliged to pay royalties to the council, this has never happened. Not a single dalasi has ever been received.”
Mayor Lowe recalled visiting the company to discuss the issue, noting that they had expressed willingness to pay. “In fact, payments were being made, but the destination of those funds remains unknown. If necessary, we will take the matter to court to ensure that we receive what is rightfully ours,” she affirmed.
On the sale of Mile Two Central Prison, she emphasised that the council had never been informed of any such transaction.
For his part, the deputy Mayor of Banjul, Aziz Dabakh Gaye, underscored the transformation already visible in the city. He confirmed that while D5 million was earmarked for the project, only D1 million has been disbursed to date, adding: “From this amount, equipment such as wheelbarrows, and brooms have been purchased, alongside salary payments for staff and buying fuel.”
He assured that all relevant documents, including progress reports, would be submitted to partners and the ministry to ensure accountability. “Despite just starting, everyone is happy that the city is clean and people are appreciating it. We can’t employ everyone at once, but the project will continue for the betterment of Banjul,” he said.
