By Ndey Sowe
As part of its strategy priorities 2020-2024, Brikama Area Council (BAC) has disbursed 2.5 million dalasi to five wards to enable them implement their priority projects.
The five wards are Sintet, Sibanor, Banjulinding, Jabang and Brufut.
The presentation ceremony took place at the council’s premises in Brikama on Friday, 18th December, 2020.
Modou Jonga, BAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the disbursement was the second phase of fund allocations to wards to implement identified projects.
“The first allocation was in 2019 and the beneficiary wards include Gunjur, Kartong, Suba, Bullock and Giboroh wards. Today’s presentation is meant to support the implementation of identified grassroots development initiatives across the five aforesaid beneficiaries,” he said.
In a bid to ensure the successful implementation of the project, CEO Jonga highlighted that a development fund manual was developed in 2015.
He said the manual is in the process of being reviewed and updated, while adding that the objectives are to improve access to basic social service delivery and improve the socio-economic status of communities within the council, especially the youth and women.
“It is a fulfillment of our community responsibility to plough back that 60% of the total revenue towards community driven development initiatives. We wish to urge the beneficiaries to ensure the effective participation and involvement of the communities throughout the process of implementing these projects,” he said.
Jonga said involving communities in the implementation process is essential for success, ownership and sustainability.
He also encouraged the five wards to make best use of existing local knowledge and capacity, which is fundamental to the effectiveness of the investment.
“I call on the wards that are yet to complete their pending projects to expedite the implementation process in order to realize the expected outcomes of these projects within the first quarter of 2021”, he said.
Sheriffo Sonko, Chairman of BAC, said the day marked another milestone of the council’s work.
Sonko pleaded with the beneficiaries to deliver within six months so that the remaining wards can benefit before the end of their term.
“We are here for development and we cannot develop if we do not go against time. We want the whole wards to benefit from the fund allocations,” he said.
Sulayman Kniteh, a beneficiary and Brufut Ward Councilor, thanked BAC for making sure that funds are allocated to them for development.
Kinteh advised his fellow ward members to make best use of the funds and protect it as if it’s their own property.
He also urged tax payers to continue paying their taxes so that BAC will be able to give funding to other wards that are yet to benefit.