Africa-Press – Gambia. The Chairperson of the Development Sub-Committee of the Brikama Area Council {BAC}, Councillor Bubacarr M.Kanteh of Kartong Ward, has reiterated the council commitment to ensuring accountability in the expenditure of the D42 Million allocated to Ward Development Funds in the West Coast Region.
Councillor Kanteh stated that the BAC would continue scrutinizing the usage of these funds to ensure they were utilized for their intended purpose. Kanteh recall that in 2024, D500,000 was allocated to each of the 28 wards in the region amounting to D14 Million. An additional D1 Million was later disbursed to each ward in January 2025, the allocation to D 42 million.
In reviewing the 2024 ward development projects, the Development Sub-Committee discovered that eight councillors had failed to complete their project. According to Councillor Kanteh delay stemmed from community disagreement affected the completion of some initiatives.
Kanteh stressed that councilors are responsible for identifying and implementing development project within their wards. Funding is conditional upon the establishment of Sub -Ward Development Committee which is based on transparency and accountability.
“The council has made it clear that councilors who failed to complete their previous projects must finish them before accessing the D1 million allocated in 2025,” Kanteh affirmed. “It will be very difficult for anyone to embezzle these funds.”
He noted that some councilor faces political interference that hampers effective project implementation. Moreover, tensions have arisen between Village Development Committees (VDCs) and the Ward Development Committees over project leadership.
Councilor Kanteh has called on VDCs to support their councilors in fulfilling grassroots development goals.
He has also urged the government to consider amending the Local Government Act to introduce a salary scheme for councilors, arguing that their current allowances are insufficient.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
