IN JUST 2 YEARS, READ OUR RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT

Authored by Cllr. Bubacarr M Kanteh Councillor for Kartong ward and Chairman BAC Development sub-Committee

Major achievements and challenges by the Brikama Area Council (BAC) from June 2023 through mid‑2025: Under the leadership of Chairman Yankuba Darboe (Yanks Darboe)

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Ward Development Fund – Localized Infrastructure

.In Feb 2024: BAC disbursed D14 million (D500,000 per ward across 28 wards). The funding enabled:

.22 boreholes supplying clean drinking water,

.11 market sheds constructed, 3 market sheds in partnership with CASAGAMBIA

.Electricity expansion, connecting 3 communities to the national grid. 

. Fencing of 2 women gardens and 3 football fields with sanitary facilities

. A school provided with furnitures

. Road construction from Brikama Nana-junction via council street

. Demolishing and concreting of the former GRA and allocate it to vendors who where affected by the demolition team lead by Manneh

. Feb 2025: Disbursement doubled to D28 million (D1 million per ward), bringing total over two years to D42 million. 

2. Education & Scholarships

. In 2023 the council paid over D3 millions to 300 students both at secondary and tertiary level

.May 2025: BAC paid D2,728,476 to UTG, covering tuition for 74 students, signaling expanded access to higher education. 

. June 2025: Added scholarship funding of D767,025 for 24 students at the Management Development Institute (MDI), supporting professional training. 

. July 2025: paying D136,000 for 8 students at Al-Inshan University

.Council reports supporting education for over 600 students in 2025, up from 300 in 2024.

3. Anti-corruption & Fiscal Recovery

. Inherited from June 2023, BAC faced D10 million debt and corruption dating back to 2019–2022. 

.Multiple staffs were suspended in late 2023 over alleged mismanagement, underscoring BAC’s commitment to transparency. 

. Almost all the councilors were arrested and detained at anti crime unit over commitment to transparency

. Threshold was resolute to ensure close monitoring and the flow of revenue from council’s accounts.

4. Waste Management & Equipment Procurement

. July 2023: Initiated the SENEYA Project, partnering with 4 private waste collectors encouraging public private partnership.

.September 2024: BAC approved the purchase of 12 new trucks, including 5 garbage collectors, a septic tank truck, 2 open trucks, skip truck and ten skip bins, shovel loader and a bulldozer tools to support improved sanitation year-round and for road rehabilitation.

In 2024, TIKA donated sanitary equipment to BAC worth over D1.4 million and also partnered with pirang ward in fencing of 7 hectares women garden in Kuloro worth over D1.8 millions and lot more interventions.

5. Access to clean drinking water and health services

• World Water Day 2025 (March 22): BAC reported drilling of 85 boreholes over two years in schools, clinics, public spaces, and gardens. The council partnered with Foundation 221, Gammol and other organizations in scaling up the number of.

. Medical bills had been paid for vulnerable patients who couldn’t cover for their bills and support rendered to patients seeking for oversee treatment

6. Environmental Sustainability Initiative.

. In August 2023, BAC collaborated with ST foundation, west coast regional forestry department and National Environment Agency and planted coconut at sifoe, sanyang and wild trees in Kombo East and the Foni.

. In August 2024, BAC collaborated with Gunjur Youth Movement and National Environment Agency to plant over 200 coconut sipling along Gunjur beach to combat coastal erosion and environmental resilience

8. Sports and cultural festivals

. In June 2025 D300,000 was donated to west coast regional sports committee

. In July 2025 D50, 000 donated to coastal road sport committee and many other district and village sports committees.

. Council has also recognized the importance role culture and cultural activities plays in upholding the existing unity in a community, therefore the council has immensely supported the kansala Trust annual cultural festival called the “futambaf”, Marakissa festival, Kartong Festival and many more other festivals within the region.

Community-led development: The Ward Fund model and its policy ensured that local communities prioritized and directed development in their wards and be accounted for the funds allocated to them.

• Education first: Substantial scholarship programs show BAC prioritizing human capital, with support expanding to over 600 secondary and tertiary students in 2025.

• Infrastructure and services: Strategic investments in waste management equipment, boreholes, roads, drainage, bridge, market sheds, and electricity extended across the West Coast Region.

• Governance reforms: Commitment to accountability and financial transparency, highlighting a turnaround from inherited dysfunction.

Challenges & Constraints

• Lack of central government support: No development subventions had been paid by central government as per the act stated 25% of each council’s development budget should be paid by the central government since 2023, and they’ve not met obligations on paying their property rates and stop paying council’s percentage on geology royalties .

• Financial recovery efforts: BAC had manage inherited debts while expanding employment and services which was our indicator of strong internal fiscal reform efforts.

In conclusion, Despite financing hurdles and government interference, the Brikama Area Council has shown steady fast progress since 2023. Its commitment to education, infrastructure, transparency, and local participation marks it as a leading example of grassroots-led regional development in The Gambia.