Pateh Baldeh was speaking during a meeting with officials of Kanifing Municipal Council at the KMC Head Office.
Registered in 2018 with the attorney General’s Chambers, the association has since undertaken numerous initiatives in sensitising people about road safety.
“We have achieved a lot, but still we are faced with some challenges. This is why, we must work with stakeholders who have been into road safety, and we know that municipalities are responsible of allocating, or identifying car parks and also feeder roads among other things.”
“So, all these things we consider that we must try and see how best we can sit and discuss with you people, and build that relationship and partnership among ourselves in order to achieve what we want to achieve together.”
Baldeh reminded all about the recent surge in the number of road accidents in the country, acknowledging that earlier statistics have placed The Gambia at eight position in the number of accidents globally.
He, however, revealed that recent statistics ranked Gambia at fourth position globally which is a matter of concern.
“No one can do it alone and this include government, thus the need for partnership. So, we must collaborate and work together as partners in development.”
Baldeh, thus, thanked KMC for the invitation and assured that his organisation is fully ready to work with the council.
“We have seen that road accident is killing more than most of the diseases that people are talking about daily. So, we need your support in many areas of development.” Mr Baldeh appeal.
Pa Sait Ceesay, Chief Executive Officer at KMC, disclosed that road safety is an issue that the council is trying to see how best they can tackle some of the challenges relating to safety on our roads.
Jaja Cham, director of Admin at KMC called for the need for collaboration of the police and the National Road Authority.
The association, he added, must be able to come up with a concept on road safety that would highlight some of their objectives and goals, then together they can have it as a national document.
Nyima Camara, director of Planning at KMC, commended the association for the foresight and visit to the council.
“So we appreciate you coming with this association to at least to contribute to national development.”
Njie Baldeh, administrative secretary of RSDSA, said the association is also trying to have regional coordinators across the whole country.
“We are also developing our website which we plan to launch very soon. We are also planning to celebrate the 2024 International Road Safety Day in URR.”
