Talib Ahmed Bensouda, who was speaking in a recent interview with The Point, acknowledged that his council has brought about a lot of unprecedented projects that even government is now modelling after.
He made reference to the pre-financing service agreement they had with Espace Motors regarding its ‘Mballit’ Truck Service, saying it is the same agreement government copied for the GTSC and even the OIC vehicles, they have just procured.
“So that of course makes us a target and of course me now being a big opposition figure, government is quite focused on tarnishing our image. But it’s politics and we expect it, but the most important thing is what the electorates and community feels and that’s is what we are interested in.”
Since he assumed office in 2018, his council has intervened in many areas – from education, market development, waste management, sports and arts and culture and other key areas.
On small business loan
In empowering the youth within the municipality, Bensouda spoke of the revolving loan he delivered to both youth and women in partnership with the Micro Finance. In this light, he said they were able to roll out loans to youth in the sum of D20 million and women amounting to D100 million.
“For me, aside from just the tangible things we’ve done, the most important thing we have achieved is institutional reforms, building KMC into a service driven-institution with a culture of delivering impactful community services to the people.”
Flood mitigation
As the most densely populated municipality in the country, Kanifing Municipality is one of the country’s most populated urban centres negatively affected by floods. This perennial nightmare, he added, is exacerbated by the fact that most of the settlements are irregular, poorly planned with inhabitants settling on waterways or riverine areas with the biggest channel running through the municipality.
“Therefore when we experience heavy rains, many communities get flooded. However, this year, many have noticed that there is not much flooding because there was a massive preparation in partnership with both National Roads Authority and the Waka Project. We are also prepared in cases of floods as we have water pumping stations and we also have a team trained on stand-by. So, this year has been actually a quite positive year so far.”
Urban Bus Services
In easing movement of people within the municipality, Bensouda has spoken of his Council’s plans to introduce affordable urban bus service within Kanifing Municipality. His team, he added, is working on partnership but starting any new entity is not an easy task especially when it comes to financing.
However, he remained confident that with his team, hopefully, before his term ended, they should be able to roll out affordable urban transport system to various neighbourhoods all over the municipality.
Twinning projects
Strengthening ties among municipalities is crucial in this day and age. And this is something Kanifing Municipality has cherished wholeheartedly in promoting South-South cooperation.
According to Bensounda, they have in the past established agreement with the many cities namely; the City of Madison, USA, Cities of Mbao, Ziguinchor both in Senegal, Freetown City Council and Peterborough etc.
“So we are expanding our international relationships. Cross-border relationships are very important as we share same demographics and socio-economics, but of course international relationships especially overseas in western world, is very important as you do receive support especially in the form of technical training etc.”
Bensouda also informed that they are working on fresh partnership with the Dakar Municipality of Parcelles, Senegal, with Mayor Jamil Sane, saying these partnerships are positive development in view of the fact that as some of these relations have brought about projects.
He made reference to the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, which is engaged in two projects in the country amounting to the sum of €100,000 and another €50,000.
“With Peterborough City, we co-applied for a grant from the European Union and got 3 million Euros. With Madison City in United States, we modelled our fleet and waste management services after them. We also got the inspiration to build our model library after them and even the bringing about of a radio station from them. So, these relationships are quite important.”
KETP Project
The Kanifing Environmental Transformation Programme (KETP), is a game changer and one that KMC has cherished very much, thanks to the impactful nature of the initiative on grassroots development and environmental management. The project, an EU funded project, was co-written by both Peterborough City and KMC.
“We co-applied and we won and we are beneficiary. It should have intervention areas in education, environment, waste management etc. So far, you’ve seen the parks we opened in several communities, about eight of them. You’ve seen the library we just built, which is about to be opened.”
He also talked about their interventions in key areas and the planting of 190,000 trees as well as the development of transfer stations within the municipality for waste management.
“So, KETP project has been a very impactful project and we still have areas we are yet to implement before the project will phase out by mid next year.”
Housing
As in many developing countries, housing remains a major challenge for municipalities and KM is not an exception.
In this area, Bensouda spoke of his plans to intervene in this but then again their challenges are title and access to plots of land.
“Because one of the biggest challenges KMC is facing is housing crisis. Right now, there is a huge demand for housing, but very little supply putting pressure on rents. That is why rent is extremely expensive here but government needs to cooperate.”
This, he said, is important in view of the fact that without government cooperation especially in the area of land allocation, it would be difficult for housing to be made affordable to the people.
Trip to Senegal
In strengthening the already existing ties with Senegal, Mayor Bensouda recently led a delegation to the Dakar Municipality of Parcelles and Major Jamil Sane.
Also, Bensouda revealed that they have excellent political ties with PASTEF, led by Prime Minister Ousman Sonko.
“We had a very wonderful trip. I went there during my leave but given that I know it will be a political trip, it was self-funded. I went with three National Assembly Members and four Councilors and some support staff, all funded by myself to build upon that relationship.”
Hosted by Cheikh Chorro Mbacke, the MP of Touba at the House of Parliament, the visit accorded the Gambian delegation the chance to meet with their Senegalese counterparts and other big wigs in that country.
The visit, he added, has created “very good” relationships among MPs from the two countries, where they agreed to use a conference call to further deepen that relationship.
“Also, at the Council level we are working on agreement to collaborate with Parcelles City in Senegal.”
Being a political trip, Bensouda said they met all level of the political class in Senegal including Prime Minister Ousman Sonko, thus forming bond with their grassroots.
He described Prime Minister Ousman Sonko as a brother and pan-Africanist, who continues to capture the imagination of the youth of Senegal, and as someone who inspires them.
“We have a very good relationship now. So, it was fruitful and beneficial trip in promoting the relationship between The Gambia and Senegal.”
