As the preparations for the 24th January Local Government elections continue to gather momentum across the country, various independent candidates have lately been engaged in massive campaigning with a view to drumming up support to bolster their bid to win seats in their respective wards.

Addressing hundreds of supporters in a meeting held in Manjai Bantaba, Mr Salieu Manneh, independent candidate for Manjai ward where two independent candidates are vying for the same seat, said the fact that he has been treated to a rousing welcomes since the beginning of the campaign shows that he is the choice of the people of his ward. “Our ward is backward and there is the need for us to rescue it and the only way we can do that is by voting for me so as to replace the incumbent APRC candidate,” he said.

He noted that his main priorities on being elected would be to solve the problem of access to water, electricity supply and skills training centre for the youths to acquire skills to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country. “One thing that we should bear in mind is that we should not follow our personal interest but the interest of all and sundry,” he told supporters.

Addressing supporters in Bakau, Mr Noah Fatty said that if elected, he would form a Village Development Committee (VDC) and a youth movement so as to unite and work together for the development of the ward. “I will always work with the youth movement and the VDC and also seek their advice,” he said, adding that his aim is to make the environment clean and improve the condition of the roads,” he said.

Continuing his campaign, Mr Lamin Jarju, independent candidate for Marakissa ward, outlined that if elected, the children, youths and women would be empowered. “Potable drinking water, electricity as well as health services, would be accessible to the inhabitants, “ he said.

According to Mr Jarju, he would make this possible by coming up with what he termed as “village development plans of action,” to strengthen the Village Development Committees for the development of the area.

Also continuing his campaign trail, Mr Modou I. Cham, better known as MC Cham, Independent Candidate for Ebo Town ward, described the response to his campaign as a sign of victory for him come 24th January. “You the youths have seen my contribution towards youth development of the ward,” he said, adding that his victory in the election is a forgone conclusion.