By: Foday Manneh
The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the Basse Area Council chairmanship, Mahamadou Ceesay, has vowed, among other things, to introduce an anti-corruption bylaw within his council if elected into office.
The aspiring candidate made these remarks while speaking to journalists after successfully submitting his credentials for nomination on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) office in URR before the May elections.
“We don’t have 100 days. In the first six months, we would be working on good governance. It has four stages: capacity assessment and reforms, an effective E-collection revenue system, the introduction of an anti-corruption bylaw within the council, and inclusive governance for all,” Ceesay said.
“With good governance, we want to ensure staff capacity assessment and possible reforms; then, we can gauge ourselves to know the type of capacity available and what is needed to lay down the foundation to move on. We need a competent team to have a better council that would be trustworthy and responsive to the people of URR,” he added.
The seasoned youth leader said he was motivated by the bad leadership his people endured for a long time and believed it was time to effect changes and restore the region’s glory days.
“URR, especially Basse Area Council, needs an outstanding responsive leader with ethics accountable to the people. But, unfortunately, for far too long, this region has been suffering from the lack of good leaders because they cannot give us any sense of direction regarding good leadership,” Mr. Ceesay told reporters.
“We as young persons have been working with all these cohorts from women to elderly. We know our people’s needs and believe we can take them to the dream destination. That’s why we took this challenge,” he asserted.
The NPP man acknowledged the task ahead, recalling other responsibilities he has had in the region before but said he is ready to uplift the plight of his people once again through developmental policies.
“We have been challenged three times, but this is one of the significant tasks because we are leading everyone to the desired destination. With our team and policies, we can drive URR to the region we want.”
Mr. Ceesay is the first among three candidates contesting for the chairperson seat at the Basse Area Council to submit his documents for nomination successfully.
While he awaits the approval of his submission, he has been reminded by the IEC commissioners of the election code of conduct designed to ensure peaceful elections on May 20, 2023.
