By Landing Ceesay
Banjul City Council (BCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a digital revenue collection project for residents of Banjul.
“All we had was an idea about revenue digitalization; therefore, launching it today is indeed a mighty accomplishment. We could not have done it alone without the help and support from the UNDP. Today, we are gathered here in realization of this wonderful achievement after a long struggle of instruments for ways of increasing our revenue and carrying out our key developmental project for Banjul,” Mayor Lowe said at the project launch.
The Mayor of Banjul stated that her council is more committed to the transformation of lives and livelihood of Banjulians and the rest of Gambians, by extension.
Mayor Lowe said her team has brought the dream to collect council taxes and levies digitally; adding that, it is no small feat but a huge one that can only get better.
“We are all aware that the world is in the realm of technology and we cannot afford to be left behind as a City Council in harnessing the many gains that the internet and ICT bring to our present day lives. We are ready for the challenges posed and we are willing to embrace the benefits brought by ICT and for a start market revenue digitalization,” she said.
Meanwhile, Aissata De, the Country Representative of UNDP said the project signifies the importance of signing an MOU between UNDP and BCC and how that achievement accelerated delivery on the project.
She said the project also expressed excitement for UNDP’s support for the Gambia’s digital evolution through the Banjul Smart Cities Pilot Project.
“I encourage the Council to embrace partnerships by promoting informational sharing and digital advertising. Offer the information management system or kiosk as a way to do just that by getting closer to the market vendors and Banjulians, but also visitors. Emphasize that destination Gambia deserves to be promoted globally, just the same way that young entrepreneurs need to promote their businesses and how the kiosks level the playing field in both scenarios.
“I applaud the efforts of the BCC to transform the City of Banjul over the past five-six years with better road infrastructure: better lit streets powered with more eco-friendly energy. A healthier shoreline built resiliently with plant life and of course, monitoring systems only available in Banjul,” she said.
The project launch took place on Thursday at the Albert Market in Banjul.