Mr. Assan Martin, a former Magistrate who, before his sacking was serving at the Brikama Magistrates Court, has described the jobs of the next Mayors of KMC and Banjul as challenging owing to his professed belief that local development is an essential ingredient in national development.

In an exclusive interview with our reporter, Mr. Martin argued that the residents of KMC have lots of concerns ranging from the environment (rubbish collection and sanitation) to roads, transportation and the local economy. He stressed that the next Mayor should be someone who knows how to initiate policies which deliver better local services to their municipalities, especially in the area of good road network for KMC where the Westfield-Bakoteh road and numerous feeder roads, as well as rubbish collection, constitute issues of great concern. He also mentioned the maintenance of the inner-city streets which, according to him, have been badly eroded during the recent rains. Mr. Martin was quick to add that almost every street is now affected. He also added that a mayor should know how to generate revenue through the local tax system and know how to reinvest it into essential areas of the community.

He emphasised that the issues of transportation (car parks) and the right place for market women need serious attention and reorganisation.

As for local resources, Mr. Martin expressed the belief that services should be enhanced so as to ease the worries of local people, noting that KMC for instance is larger than Kanifing alone.

He suggested that the name of councils be changed to a more fitting nomenclature e.g GB-MC (Greater Banjul Municipality) or Kombo Districts Municipality. These titles make more sense to the former magistrate than the name Kanifing, which is just one small area in the municipality.

He also urged resident voters to vote for competent and proactive (not wait to be told what to do) persons who are committed to changing the city for the better. “It is not about personality but what they can do for their communities because the task of running a municipality is not an easy one.” He added: “One must also remember that to whom much is given much is expected.”

Addressing the issue of voter apathy, Mr. Martin said that if people or residents don’t see credible candidates who understand how to run our local services, they might be reluctant to come out and vote. He concluded by saying that a low turnout will indicate that people didn’t feel there was a candidate who could do something for them on the ballot paper.