PPP mayor of Banjul candidate Ebrima Jawo has launched his election manifesto outlining policies on areas such as roads, housing, job creation, tourism and cultural revival. 

Below is Ebrima Jawo’s manifesto: 

“Greetings and wishes of Allah’s guidance upon us all.

First and foremost, I extend prayers and heartfelt gratitude to my late parents.

To all descendants, residents and people of the great Island City, I wish to extend appreciation over concerns raised during a recent visit to Banjul which saw me stay for almost 2 months.

Personal observation during this period opened up my eyes to a Banjul so different from the one I was born, raised and grew up; the Banjul that gave me the very best of Primary, Secondary and High School education, the Banjul that gave me access to the employment market prior to pursuit of a higher education in the United Kingdom.

There isn’t a denial on Banjul having lost all its glory.

Deeply divided due to political polarisation, Banjul is calling out for salvation.

Banjul Benna Bopp; Kumba Banjul AK Samba Banjul philosophy is slowly drifting into extinction with families, friendships, neighbourliness deteriorating on unacceptable terms.

Whilst acknowledging the work done by the current Government in Banjul; the road rehabilitation to be precise, there are still a lot more basic infrastructure lacking with the few existing ones that can simply be described as an eyesore due to dilapidation.

Lack of maintenance to facilities and the fact there isn’t a sustainability model embedded in our systems is leaving our Island City in poor shape.

Social infrastructure in terms of recreational facilities for young people is literally non-existent.

Housing Plans aren’t on the council’s agenda.

Commerce is failing in Banjul with no initiatives targeted at creation of jobs for the high number of young people in the city.

Cultural activities are only limited to the festive season of Christmas with Tourism on a brink just to give a few examples of societal ills characteristic of Banjul.

Technical and Skills training and education which the city was once a champion of is practically non-existent.

In light of the above, I decided to engage in consultations and dialogue with family, relatives, friends and other well wishers on aspirations to contest the upcoming Mayoral seat for the Banjul City Council.

Based on the outcome of the consultations with the parties named here, I have seen the need to table out reasons prompting such interest as well as give the electorate a breakdown of key areas in which I hope and wish to revive and develop to the best interest of our people.

I wish to bring back sanity to the Island City and help revive the social cohesion that it was once known for with policy focus on areas such as;

1. Maintenance of roads to complement the Government’s efforts.

2. Creation of a housing scheme for low and middle income earners as a way of encouraging former Banjul residents to consider relocating home. 

3. Cultural revival initiatives as the absence of this may lead to a lost world.

4. Bring back the city as the commercial capital of the country and work tirelessly with the relevant stakeholders in transforming the Albert Market into a modern day Shopping Mall with walk-in chillers for the fish, meat and vegetable vendors.

5. Boost Tourism which was once a beacon of hope for Banjul and it’s people; having served as home to 3 grande hotel brands with the only tourist and craft market in The Gambia aside the ones stationed on hotel sites. 

I intend to transform Banjul into an eco-tourist hub considering its proximity to historical and eco-tourist sites in the area. 

The Fort Bullen, Jinack and Kunta Kinteh Islands and the Fatalla Park in Toubacouta in neighbouring Senegal are only stone throws away which can be accessed via creek tours from Barra. 

The Berending crocodile pool and the “BoPi Jerreh” in Niumi Sitanunku are great historical and cultural attractions which Banjul can leverage on.

The Berefet Bolong and other lodges in    Foni can be accessed from the Denton Bridge.

A creek tour from Denton Bridge to Lamin Lodge, Mandinari, Makasutu and Bintang Bolong lodge is a possibility if Barra comes in as a key partner in our tourism and cultural revival program.

I hope to increase the revenue base of the Banjul City Council by stamping out corrupt practices through a diligent team who has the interest of the citizenry therefore delivering to its expectations.

I hope to engage in capacity building initiatives for the Banjul City Council team and to come up with a robust computerization and digitalization of revenue and rates collection.

I hope to engage in an open door policy and 

I shall engage in a quarterly JaKarlo session with the public to give an account on the council’s projects as well as engage in a Q &A session with interest groups.

I wish to engage in dialogue as a Mayor of our great city and work hand in glove with all and sundry in reclaiming lost properties symbolic to the capital city and its vicinity.

The wetland around the Bond Road, Lasso Wharf, Tobacco Road and the Rye Pye Lane can be used as an open space for birds watching with high over footbridges from one end to another with cafes and restaurants. The open spaces we can use for  the building of council funded housing units and to build a Polytechnic and other social amenities.

I shall be contesting under a PPP ticket; a Party born in Banjul on 14th February 1959 and one of Peace, Progress and Prosperity.

The PPP is a Party of respect, culture and diversity and one that values religious divergence and tolerance.

PPP is an advocate for social cohesion upholding strongly to its TESITO principles.

From inception, almost 95% of the PPP’s National Women Mobilizers came from Banjul with its first leading women being the formidable Aja Fanta Basse Singhateh; the likes of Agi Fatou Sallah Lamtoro, Agi Fatou Secka Seckom, Agi Saffie Ndow, Agi Fatima Mbenga, Agi Mam Gaye Njie, Agi Jambandin Drammeh, Agi Njie Funnay, Agi Amie Ndow Kaba, Agi Fatou Jobe Ngane, Agi Sukaina Kah,  we pray for the  longevity in the lives  of those alive and perfect health and pray for Allah’s mercy on those that departed before us.”