#National News

Niumi FM boss to contest NA election as independent candidate

Feb 1, 2022, 1:39 PM | Article By: Isatou Ceesay-Bah

Ousman A. Marong, General Manager (GM) of Niumi FM, a private radio station in Essau has expressed his interest in the April parliamentary elections as an independent candidate in the Lower Niumi constituency.

Marong made this disclosure during a radio interview aired on Niumi FM anchored by Habib Sonko on Saturday 29th January 2022.

“I have the singular honour to unveil to you my intention in contesting the upcoming National Assembly Elections as an independent candidate for Lower Niumi District. I am ready to fight the Assembly poll. I will face the poll from whichever seat is deemed suitable for my candidature. I am ready to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming Assembly election in the country on whichever seat is deemed suitable for me,” he said.

According to him, what prompted his decision to contest for the seat is to rescue his people in his constituency from underdevelopment. 

“I am a journalist and know the problem of my people. I am deeply rooted in it and have been reporting about it. The Barra, Essau, Sami, Mayamba, and Kanuma people can attest to this. Just look at the Essau District Hospital. It is currently the main referral hospital in NBR apart from Farafenni and is currently without water. Patients’ families and the mothers of the newly born babies normally go to the surrounding villages like Mayambya, Kanuma in search of water. I want to put an end to this should I be voted into Parliament,” he swore.

Marong, who is a journalist and a media manager, reiterated that he is throwing he is joining the race just to rescue his people. 

“I want to join politics because I want to change the livelihood of my people. I want them to live like the people of Kombo are living and those settling around the Senegambia areas. I want to bring that rapid development to my end. My people cannot continue to live in a situation where electricity is compared to a jumping light. Just look at the Banjul/Barra ferry crossing points. These two points have been a nightmare and headache to my people and I want to be the first, ever youngest MP to change the narrative,” he posited.

He retorted that he did not wish his people to live and die in a society with abject poverty.

His plans to bring rapid development to the doorstep of his people are huge and numerous.

“Furthermore, I will do all it takes to bring the Barra Sami road on its feet, adding that ‘people living in these localities always find it difficult in reaching out to their vicinities during the rainy season.’

“I will create an avenue that will serve as a source of income for my people. I will also make sure the Barra garage is extended and if there is no space to do so it is relocated either to Essau or Mayamba. I will work hand in glove with the Essau Sports Development Committee in creating a non-stop league competition that will help curb migration. Last but not least is the women gardeners. I will make sure there is a storehouse built for them where they will keep their goods and services without it getting rotten or to get spoilt.”