Thousands of residents in the Kanifing Municipality have been made homeless by floods, mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda has said. 

The mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) made the statement during a visit to flood victims meant to access first-hand information as well as express support to them. 

“I had to tell these victims this is why we are at the council. These are taxpayers, and their lives mattered so much to us and that’s how it should be. 

“We shouldn’t neglect them, therefore visiting them is our first priority to know their concerns and see what we can do to address them,” he said.

“We have seen what has happened to these victims and we will do our utmost best to give them support.”

The mayor continued: “We’ve been in contact with our community partners, the National Disaster Management Agency, the Community Services, Gambia Red Cross Society and other relevant stakeholders to learn how our compassionate community can help the victims. 

“One of the big needs right now is for general hygiene products and food.”

He said the KMC staff also embarked on a tour of the flooded areas to pump out water with the council’s brand new pumping machines. 

KMC Anti-Littering Unit Manager Lamin Camara also expressed his sympathy with the victims over the terrible floods that affected thousands of families across the country.

He urged the general public to control their wastes to avoid littering in the streets, obstruction of the streets which he said is not hygienic. 

He warned mechanics, carpenters and shop owners to desist from leaving their unused materials and products on the highways that obstruct traffic.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba