Activista The Gambia, in collaboration with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), has facilitated historic community dialogues in the Central River Region (CRR), bringing residents face-to-face with their National Assembly representatives to discuss development, governance, and youth empowerment.
In Lower Fulladu, residents gathered in Kerewan Samba Sira for the first direct interaction with Honourable Gibbi Mballow since his election in 2022. The constituency, which spans 75 villages, has long struggled with limited access to electricity, poor roads, and inadequate healthcare.
Residents raised multiple concerns during the dialogue. Mama Jang Bah of Sareh Babou Village questioned the delay in electrification, while Yero Sabally from Sinchu Bora highlighted the challenges women gardeners face navigating treacherous roads to tend crops. Ali Boye of Boiram called attention to the incomplete Boiram-Njoben road and the need for clean water, and Zakariya Baldeh from Sare Ngai described the difficulty pregnant women face reaching distant health centres.
Responding, Hon. Mballow provided updates on ongoing projects. He said electricity poles would be installed by December, the ROOTS Project would address road and agricultural challenges, and a community ambulance, funded personally by him, was now stationed at Jiddah to assist pregnant women. He also disclosed his salary allocation, emphasizing that much of it goes into supporting constituency projects.
Residents expressed appreciation for the MP’s engagement. Adama Dem of Kerewan Samba Sira noted, “For the first time, we see an elected National Assembly Member engaging directly with the community,” while Babou Leigh, Youth Representative from Janjanbureh, described Mballow as proactive, citing his personal response to a late-night borehole request.
The dialogue also covered youth opportunities, including scholarships at the Mansa Konko Rural Development Institute, where only eight of forty spots were filled. Other topics included investments in milling machines, mosque repairs, health centres, garden fencing, and youth engagement in community development.
In Upper Fulladu West, a similar event was held in Batanto with MP Bakary B. Kora. The constituency, which includes 135 villages and over 60,000 residents, has long faced limited basic amenities. Residents pressed for transparency and greater involvement in the management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Massaneh Sanyang of Dobong Kunda urged the MP to involve the community in decision-making, while Kansia Ceesay from Dutah Wally called for increased funding and proper follow-up on CDF projects. Youth representatives highlighted unemployment and limited involvement in CDF allocations, and women requested support for women farmers and safe transportation for children.
Hon. Kora acknowledged the constituency’s challenges, including systemic issues in hospital management and limited CDF reach, pledging collaboration with stakeholders and increased citizen engagement to strengthen accountability.
Both dialogues provided platforms for frank discussion, enabling constituents to voice concerns directly to their representatives. The engagements underscore the role of participatory governance and youth-led initiatives in ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusive development in the CRR.
