As political campaigns loom across the length and breadth of the country, ahead of the January 24 local government elections, the APRC and opposition hopefuls for the two Bakau wards are trying to woo the electorate with an avalanche of development projects.

Three candidates, including an independent are battling for the Bakau Newtown seat and two for Old Bakau ward, which is an opposition stronghold.

In Bakau Newtown, APRC fielded in Bakary B Darboe, who was the last occupant of the seat, the UDP put up Bakary Jobe, and Nuha Fatty, a veteran politician who was once secretary of the PPP in Bakau, has also joined the race on the independent ticket.

At Old Bakau, Oumie Barry has thrown her hat in the ring to face UDP’s Ousman Rambo Jatta, who was the last elected councillor for the ward.

The political landscape of the town has been intensifying, with veteran politicians throwing their weight behind the candidates of the two main political divides.

Addressing supporters in a political rally at the Bakau Newtown Sosseh Junction, BB Darboe, as he is fondly called, urged the electorate to re-elect him, citing numerous development projects registered during his tenure.

“In the area of portable and safe drinking water, I have made it possible for the installation of a stand pipe. Sports is key to socio-economic development of any country and I have also made it possible for the council (KMC) to approve the rehabilitation of Bakau Football Park at a tune of D170,000. The most recent major development ever registered in the ward, is the ongoing construction of a standard skills centre at a tune of D2.5 million,’’ he told the rally.

Darboe emphasised that his re-election would mean a continuity of the projects that have begun.

“I have already submitted a three-year development plan of action to the council. Some of the projects outlined in this document include a micro-credit loan scheme for women and youth folks, a standard senior secondary school, construction of drainage system, rehabilitation of both Bakau Health Centre and the Bakau Community Centre,’’ he revealed.

He used the political platform to call on his supporters to desist from any political agitation, noting that his party always advocates for peace and tranquility.

Also addressing his supporters at Bakau Farokono, UDP’s Bakary Jobe courted the electorate for massive support for major developments in the ward.

“Cognisant of the fact that the government alone cannot do it all, I will set up a trust fund initiative that will aim at bringing more developments to the ward. My priorities will include the construction of standard feeder roads and proper drainage system in the ward, stand pipes, installation of streetlights as well as a scholarship scheme,’’ he elaborated.

For his part Noah Fatty, the only independent candidate in Bakau, said his first priorities will be the eradication of sectionalism in the ward, noting that no meaningful development can take place without unity and solidarity.

“I will also re-established a Ward Development Committee in a bid to manage the development initiatives of the ward. I will embark on road construction to enable residents to park their vehicles inside their compounds and sanitation, among others,’’ he said.

At the other parts of the constituency, APRC’s Oumie Barry, whose popularity is apparently gaining momentum, has called on the masses to vote for her for a positive change in Old Bakau. Her opponent’s bigwigs, notably Dembo By-Force, are leading the campaign trail in almost all the wards, calling on the voters to re-elect Ousman Rambo Jatta to resolve the problems confronting the ward.