HERE IS THE PDOIS COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIDATE FOR BANJUL NEW TOWN EAST WARD PRESENTING HIS PROGRAMME OR MANIFESTO TO THE ELECTORATE
I have been voluntarily serving the inhabitants of New Town East Ward, in particular, and the City of Banjul, in general, for many years now through my involvement in community based organisations and participation in social and sporting activities.
Now I am seeking the direct mandate of the people in order to continue this service by contesting as a Councillor 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 New Town East 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 New Town East 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 MAMOUR TOURAY?
Mamour Touray was born in Lancaster Street in Banjul Central in 1985 and grew up in this neighbourhood with peers. After his primary and secondary education, he enrolled at the President’s International Award Youth Entreprise and Skill Centre where he studied Electrical Installation and Business Management. He was an Award Participant under the Duke of Edinburgh Award for Young People and obtained Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates and Medals.
After completing this training, he worked as a Volunteer Field Officer for one year and was later appointed as an Assistant Coordinator for another one year before he was promoted to serve as a Regional Coordinator. He was assigned the role of coordinating schools within the Greater Banjul Area.
Mamour Touray has undergone a series of training both at home and abroad and went through the Scheme on team building and leadership with the National Open College in the United Kingdom. He also attended a leadership training course with the Ahead Group from the United States of America. He spent most of his time working as a volunteer and involving in so many community activities within the Gambia, especially in Banjul, and outside. He served in the executive of the Banjul Youth Committee (BYC) as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) and also a member of the Development Oriented Citizens (DOC) Banjul. He has been initiating and sponsoring environmental cleansing exercises within the New Town East Ward for many years. He also helped many young people, both men and women, in the community with advice and start-up capital to engage in petty trading. He has also been working with neighbourhood football teams to organize fund-raising events to sustain themselves.
He is working for Petrogas Petroleum Company since it was Shell Marketing Gambia Limited for the past eight years and is now a Branch Manager.
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.