FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Yaya Bajo
10 March 2008
National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) recently held a two-day capacity building workshop for ward councillors on the Local Government Act in Kerewan NBR. The objective of the training was to equip and empower ward councillors to fully understand the content of the Local Government Act in order to enable them know their roles and responsibilities in the execution of their functions.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor of North Bank Region, Mr. Eduwar Seckan, underscored the importance government attaches to the establishment of National Council for Civic Education which, among other things, will empower the citizenry to know their civic and constitutional rights. Governor Seckan described the training as timely. He said new councillors were elected and building their capacity will contribute immensely to the attainment of council's development aspirations. Mr. Seckan urged the councillors to forget about their individual and political differences and work for the wellbeing of the people of the region.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kerewan Area Council, Alhagie Tamba S. Kinteh, applauded NCCE for their timely intervention in capacitating the ward councillors on the Local Government Act which, he said, will go a long way in strengthening the council in its daily operation. Mr. Kinteh tasked councillors to advocate and nuture the cordial relationship that exists between the council and development partners and tax payers. The rationale of opening of ward accounts by the council, he said, is to empower Ward Development Committees to embark on resource mobilization and start undertaking development projects at ward level; that councillors should therefore ensure the proper utilization of the funds in the interest of the ward; that the role of the Ward Development Committee is to coordinate development assistance, review plans and prioritise development objectives. Mr. Kinteh also used the occasion to commend the outgoing councillors for their dedication, commitment and steadfastness in the execution of their functions.
Sainey Saho, Civic Education Officer at NCCE, underscored the importance his office attaches to the goal of raising awareness of ward councillors on the Local Government Act. "The amended Act clearly spells out the roles and responsibilities of councillors in relation to national development," he said.
The Chairman of Kerewan Area Council, Alhagie Lamin Ceesay, said the training will help enhance and facilitate the smooth operation of the councils towards the attainment of their development aspiration. Chairman Ceesay urged councillors to always use the Local Government Act, which he said is user friendly, as it will always guide them to know their roles and responsibilities. Mr. Ceesay finally assured the electorate of the council's continued commitment to the welfare of the people.
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