Posted by By Halimatou Ceesay
Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) is the latest to join the political fanfare nominations as they made a colourful appearance on 14th March 2018 to Nominate Nine Candidates out of Nineteenth Wards for the KM Councillorship election in the upcoming Local.
Some of the Contestants
The nominated candidates were escorted to the IEC Kanifing Regional Office in a colourful purple convoy with hundreds of supporters cheering; singing and dancing as they witness their candidates took turn to present the credentials to Lamin Cham the returning officer.
The Names of the contestants are as follows; Mustapha A Cham contestant for New Jeshwang/Ebo town ward, Abdoulie Njie Contestant for Bakau New Town ward, Abdoulie M Jallow Contestant for old Bakau Cape Point Ward, Yusupha Jaiteh contestant Banta-Ba/Borehole Ward, Ndumbeh A.K Sallah Contestant for Sabiji Ward, Maimuna A Sambou contestant for Abuko Ward, Sallimatou Manneh contestant for Fajikunda Ward, Baboucarr Njie Contestant for Talinding North ward, and Momodou Corra Kah contestant for Kanifing Ward.
Speaking to the waiting Journalists immediately after presenting their papers to the returning officer, Mustapha A. Cham contestant for New Jeshwang/Ebo town ward said for along period of time the people of Jeshwang are not fully represented.
“They vote people in to office but still do not see the benefits of voting candidates in offices, that’s why we are coming forward to represent them because they know us very well and they are aware that we can represent them fully at the Councillorship level. I will make sure if elected my ward will receive equal development like other communities. I will address the issue of street Taps to make sure they are connected and proper demarcation is been made and streets and compounds are given names,” said Mr. Cham.
Abdoulie Njie Contestant for Bakau New Town ward said for the past twenty years Bakau is still backward and if elected “I will address the issues my ward are facing with and transform it into a real town.”
Abdoulie M. Jallow old Bakau/cape point ward said “I was a councillor for the past five years and just finished my term this past January. I was involved in many developmental projects that is why I want to continue yet another term.”
He added that his people have seen the work he did on the drainage at Bakau and the horticultural gardens and that he needs to complete those projects.
He held that in Bakau, the most health hazard they are facing is the drainage and for that “I have secured $46,622 for face one which is already on, for the horticultural gardens I digged a borehole and provided them with sand piles and we have plans to fence the garden.”
He said “I am confident of winning because I have done a lot for the past years and if elected development projects will improve.”
Yusupha Jaiteh Banta-Ba/Borehole Ward said there are many developments needed in his ward and he will address it if elected in to office and will promote the empowerment of youth and women.
Ndumbeh AK Sallah contestant for Sabiji Ward said “I took this challenge as a native of Latrikunda to represent my people. “The main reason for contesting is to represent women and empower them because I believe what a man can do a woman can do better,” she said.
Maimuna A. Sambou contestant for Abuko Ward said the problem they are facing as a ward is too much and the development they should receive is not as expected. “I got motivated to address the problems they are facing like inadequate water, and poor road conditions. I will also promote youth and women empowerment,” she said.
Collimator Manneh said “I want to contest because I want to contribute immensely in development and to empower women and girls. She said women should feel that they are represented and also should feel free to participate in development because women are the key people that are contributing to development in the country.
“If elected I will be a public figure and the women will learn from that and in my campaigns I will make sure it will be done peacefully and will continue to advocate that,” said Ms Manneh.
Babucarr Njie Contestant for Tallinding North ward said that he want to make Talinding a developed area adding that development is lacking in the areas of a good clean market, garage and the flooding which is a major issue for the people of Tallinding and all cannot be achieved without votes. “If am elected I will provide all necessities needed especially with a clean hygiene market; also as a youth I will represent them fully as well the women because they form the largest groups of my people, “ he said.
Momodou Corra Kah contestant for Kanifing said if elected he will address all the issues his ward is facing adding that youths are his priority especially when it comes to sports to make sure they are represented and his expectation of winning is very high.