Council
By Fatou Sillah
Mahamadou Ceesay, the newly elected chairman of the Basse Area Council, has pledged to restore trust and attract more development to the Upper River Region (URR).
“One of our priorities, therefore, is to restore trust to attract more development and positive partnerships for our people by stamping out corruption and corrupt practices and investing the revenue collected in our communities for development and our well-being in line with standards of good governance, transparency, accountability, and inclusivity,” He said.
The newly elected Chairman of Basse Area Council expressed his belief that his region had finally received the long-awaited change it needed.
“Natives and residents of URR, the change we have long waited for is finally here! Yes, it was a highly contested partisan election however, I must say at this juncture that it’s time to put aside all sorts of partisan politics and focus on delivering development for our people and communities. My leadership will ensure that the Basse Area Council is transformed into a people’s council and that development reaches every community in URR irrespective of any affiliation,” He Said
The Chairman further states that he intends to build a transparent and accountable Council in his Region;
“We intend to build a just, transparent, accountable, and development-oriented council in which every native and resident would feel part of the process hence the principle of leaving no one behind. Against this, I call on all persons irrespective of any differences and affiliation to come forward collaboratively to move this region to its desired destination,” He adds
Chairman Ceesay also promises to introduce digital revenue collection in Basse Area Council;
“We will as well look into standardizing an e-revenue collection system and exploring cheaper, easier as well as multiple e-payment options in place to enhance transparency and accountability,” he said.
The newly elected Chairman of Basse Area Council made these remarks at his swearing-in ceremony that was held in Basse on Friday.