Posted by By Halimatou Ceesay
The People Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) today filed seven nominees to the Independent Electoral Commission’s office in Kanifing as they prepare for the upcoming Local Government Elections in Kanifing Municipality.
The candidates were accompanied by hundreds of PDOIS Supporter dressed in their party T-Shirt and colours with various musical instruments `to cheer their candidates as they took turn to present their credentials to IEC Returning officer Lamin Cham.
Speaking to journalists, Alhagie Aboubacarr Sillah six Junction ward, Karim Darboe Bartez Ward, Alieu Jarju Abuko Ward, Peter Mendy Kololi ward, Momodou Lamin Keita Manjai ward, Musa Cham London Corner ward, and Sheriff Mustapha Faal Latrikunda Yiringanya ward all expressed were the candidates
Alhajie Abubacarr Sillah 6 junction ward said “Since area council started in his area and there have never been councilors who come to the people to tell them how much the people have paid as tax so that the public can gauge whether the 60% requirement that should go back to the people have been achieved. This is why I think we need a change since there is already a change of the Government so the same should happen at the community level.”
For his part Alieu Jarju contestant for Abuko ward said “I am contesting to exercise my civic rights and to liberate my people. I will embark on capacity development of young people, infrastructure and electricity issues.”
Bartez ward contestant Karim Darboe has this to say “as a representative of the people you have to know the concerns of the people in order to be able to address their issues at the community level. Part of our priority areas, is to sanitize the ward, transport service delivery and crime reduction.”
Representing for Latrikunda Yiringanya ward Sheriff Mustapha Faal said his focus will be on environmental sanitation, waste management, water and electricity. “Firstly we will create a youth development committee, logistic committee, to tackle the issues of the community,” explained Faal
Musa Cham contesting London Corner said he would like to address the issue of health facility “as there is no health facility in the ward.” He said winning depends on the type of programs one sell to the people and “if they believe that my programs will be beneficial to them I’m sure they will vote for me and I am confident that my programs will speak for me.”
For Kololi ward Peter Mendy said he would want to embark on ward development and will create central committees for the wards. “Two people would be selected from the central committees and they would be responsible for discussing and solving issues people face in the ward,” said Mendy.
Momodu Lamin Keita contesting for Manjai Ward said “as a youth and social security activist I have experience in working at the community level.” He added that his ward is lacking so many things and he deem it necessary that they should tackle those issues. “However my first priority is managing the dumpsite in the ward and access to clean drinking water.”