HERE IS THE PDOIS COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIDATES FOR BANJUL HALF DIE WARD PRESENTING HIS PROGRAMME OR MANIFESTO TO THE ELECTORATE
I am the outgoing Councillor for Half Die Ward who was elected unopposed in a by election and had served for two years before the dissolution of the last Council.
I am again seeking for re-election for another mandate in order to continue the service I already started rendering to both the Half Die Ward and City of Banjul and this time under the ticket of PDOIS in the forthcoming 12 April 2018 local government elections.
As a PDOIS Candidate, I stand for a Transparent, Responsive and Effective Banjul City Council (BCC) that is capable of bringing about a Cleaner, Habitable and Thriving City for its inhabitants.
PLEDGE
I wish to solemnly pledge, if elected into office as a Councillor for Half Die Ward, that I will commit myself to serving the community and city of Banjul, in accordance with the laws or powers and functions of Local Government institutions as well as the PDOIS principles of commitment, dedication and selfless service to the sovereign people of the Gambia. In my stewardship as an elected City Councillor, I will ensure the following:
Transparency in the operation of the Banjul City Council by pushing for Council proceedings to be made open to the public as required by Section 30 of the Local Government Act, 2002 as well as the practice of democracy and good governance.
Accountability to the electorate for all moneys that accrue to the Council from levies, taxes, government subvention and other legitimate sources.
Responsiveness of Council to the concerns and needs of the inhabitants in terms of the provision of essential, timely and efficient services by proactively participating in the planning and implementation of programmes and projects
Community participation by pushing for the involvement of the people in the conception and execution of development plans at both the Ward and City levels.
Effectiveness of the Council in utilising its resources for the development of the city and the welfare of its inhabitants by putting in place an efficient and robust waste management system, good infrastructure, improved social services, etc.
Innovation geared towards identifying other alternative sources of none tax revenue for the Council to increase its resource base in order to be able to sustain the provision of the much needed services.
Community participation by pushing for the involvement of the people in the conception and execution of development plans at both the Ward and City levels.
WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO CONTEST?
As a sovereign Gambian citizen, I am exercising my right to stand for election under a PDOIS ticket in order to provide for the Half Die Ward, in particular, and the inhabitants of Banjul, in general, the type of political representation at the local government level that puts the interest of the people first before self. I felt oblige to contest in this election in order to get the mandate of the people to help find solutions to reverse the trend of a rapid decline and deterioration of the city in terms of infrastructure, sanitation, population, social and economic activities. The present condition of the streets, drainage system and the environmental sanitation, among others, leaves much to be desired and therefore needs urgent action. Hence, the city of Banjul is in dire need of essential social services, infrastructure and other amenities, e.g. recreational activities, etc.
If elected into office, I will be engaging in scrutinizing the revenue collection and budget of Council to ensure that the resources are available and properly utilised to provide for the necessary services to the residents of the city.
I will be engaging all the stakeholders within the ward and municipality to participate in initiatives and activities aimed at improving the conditions of their neighbourhoods as well as promoting their welfare.
The quality representation characterised by clarity, humility, commitment and devotion to the welfare of the people, as being amply demonstrated by the current National Assembly Members of PDOIS both inside and outside of the National Assembly, is what I will endeavor to do when elected to office as Councillor.
WHO IS DAWDA HAFFNER?
Dawda Haffner was born on the 16th January 1970 at Leman Street in the Half Die district of Banjul. He spent all his childhood and adult life in the vicinity of Banjul South and living with parents and grandparents in different places such as Leman Street, Wellington Street, Charles Street, William Street and currently Denton Street.
He attended Windley Primary School, Saint Augustine Senior Secondary School and Gambia High School where he graduated at Upper Six (sixth form). He pursued and completed a course in Purchasing and Supply at the Management Development Institute (MDI).
Mr. Haffner was employed at the Banjul City Council (BCC) from 2000 to 2015 and had served in different capacities, including supervisor, senior supervisor and procurement officer, respectively. Cumulatively, he had 18 years of experience working with Banjul City with the first 16 years as a staff of the Service and the other 2 as an elected Councillor.
Mr. Hafner has been an active member of various youth led community organisations in the Banjul South such as the social and sports clubs. He was a member of Rico Football and Social clubs, Iraqis B vous, Youth Parliament under RAID The Gambia and had even coached a football team Ajax Amsterdam FC in addition to being a supporter of all the neighbourhood football teams in Banjul South.
He was inspired by PDOIS all along until during the time leading to the last presidential election and the impasse with the role played by its leadership when he became more convinced that PDOIS is the only political party that is closer to the people and has the solutions to the problems facing The Gambia.
With experience and institutional knowledge as a former staff and elected Councillor of BCC, coupled with guidance from PDOIS based on the party vision, principles and objectives, Mr. Haffner assures the electorate that he is up to the task and will effectively function as a proactive and responsible representative both within and outside of the Ward.
NOTE FROM THE EDITORS: The Gambia Times has not endorsed candidates in the local government elections but provides a platform to publish and disseminate their manifestos to the electorates. The Times encourages all candidates to send in their manifestos for publication in their quest to propagate their ideas and win the support of the voters in their respective wards and localities. Candidates may send their manifestos and press releases to info@thegambiatimes.com for publication.