COLUMN | Citizen Engagement is My Duty – Not a Choice

By Hon. Momodou Charreh Gibba, Gunjur Ward Councillor

Good morning Gunjur.

Many people may not fully understand this, but citizen engagement and public enlightenment are part of my official duties as your elected ward councillor. It is not just about responding to complaints - it’s about proactive governance, oversight, and ensuring that community-based institutions like the Community Management Committee (CMC) are working for the people.

Understanding the Councilor - CMC Relationship

The CMC at our fish landing site plays a vital role in local livelihoods - serving fishermen, vendors, boat owners, and processors. As your ward councillor, my responsibilities include:

• Representation: I represent your voices and interests in all matters affecting the landing site and beyond.

• Liaison Role: I serve as the bridge between the Brikama Area Council and local community structures like the CMC.

• Oversight: While I do not directly manage the CMC, I am expected to monitor its performance and ensure transparency and service delivery.

When the CMC Fails – I Must Act

When there is no AGM, no accountability, and no visible services at the fish landing site, the CMC is failing. In such cases, it becomes my duty to:

• Demand financial and operational reports from the CMC.

• Call for audits if mismanagement is suspected.

• Mobilize stakeholders to raise concerns and demand action.

• Escalate issues to the Area Council or Ministry of Fisheries.

• Advocate for interim oversight or the democratic election of a new CMC if needed.

What Backs My Actions?

Everything I do is supported by national laws and frameworks:

• The Local Government Act empowers me to promote good governance and community participation.

• The Fisheries Act outlines the responsibilities of CMCs and provides oversight mechanisms.

• Community-Based Management Frameworks are used to co-manage shared resources like our fisheries.

  
  

Serving You, Not Sitting Silent

I want to make it clear: when systems in our community break down, I will not stay silent. Whether it’s a failing CMC or a neglected public service, I will intervene, engage stakeholders, and push for reform - because that is what I was elected to do.

Let us build a Gunjur where transparency, participation, and development are not optional, but guaranteed.

Thank you for your continued trust and vigilance.

For comments, questions or concerns, you can reach out to the Gunjur Ward Office or message us directly on social media.