The minister criticised opposition parties, accusing them of spending more time attacking the government than offering practical solutions.
“If you are opposition, you provide an alternative for existing policies and programmes. You tell us what is not working, why it is not working and what you are going to replace it with. They are not telling us that,” he said.
Dr Ceesay also warned voters against unrealistic campaign promises. “Don’t listen to populists who make you believe that when they come to power on Monday, by Tuesday there will be zero crime, prices of commodities will fall or healthcare challenges will disappear. These are populist politicians who have no clue how a country is governed,” he cautioned.
Identity Cards Rollout
Turning to concerns over the delayed issuance of new national identity cards, Dr Ceesay admitted the rollout had been hampered by technical and operational issues. He assured Gambians that nationwide issuance would begin in August.
Applicants who have already registered and paid should keep their receipts, he explained, as they will simply present them before biometrics are verified and cards issued instantly. “Within three months, almost 90 percent of Gambians will have an ID card because we are going on a nationwide campaign,” he said.
Responding to complaints from Gambian students overseas about delayed government stipends, Dr Ceesay recalled his own experience as an international student. He described their situation as painful and promised to engage the relevant authorities.
“I know how it feels. I’ve experienced this and we will do everything within our powers to make sure that we resolve this issue as soon as possible,” he said.
