A two day capacity building training workshop for ward councillors in North Bank Region on the amended 2002 local government act has recently concluded in Kerewan, North Bank Region.

The objective of the training is to empower the newly sworn-in ward councillors on the content of the local government act, in order to enable them know their roles and responsibilities in the development process of their wards.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Edward Seckan,  governor North Bank Region, underscored the importance government attaches to the establishment of National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), adding that it was established to educate citizens on their civil and constitutional rights.

Governor Seckan further went on to describe the training as timely, saying that the outcome of the workshop would help newly sworn-in ward councillors to build their capacity to contribute towards the attainment of the council’s development aspiration.

Alhagie Tamba S.  Kinteh, CEO, Kerewan Area Council, applauded the National Council for Civic Education for their timely intervention in educating ward councillors on the local government act.

Mr Kinteh tasked councillors to advocate and nurture the cordial relationship that exist between the council, development partner’s and the tax payers.  According to him, the rational to open ward accounts by the council was geared towards empowering ward development committees to embark on resource mobilization and to kick start development projects at ward level.  

He further stated that the role of WDC is to co-ordinate development assistance, review and prioritise developmental plans. He  urged councillors to ensure the proper utilization of the fund in the interest of the ward.  Mr Kinteh finally concluded by using 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 the National Council for Civic Education, underscored the importance his offices attached to raise awareness of ward councillors on local government act.

For his part, the chairman  of Kerewan Area Council, Lamin Ceesay, commended the government for the establishment of National Council for Civic Education, in raising awareness and educating the councillors on the local government act. Mr Ceesay finally assured the electorates of the council’s continued commitment to their welfare.