By Sailu Bah Development Oriented Citizens of Banjul on Sunday 17 May 2015, held their second annual general meeting in the Banjul City Council Chambers. In his introductory remarks, Omar T.D. Ndow, Member of the Advisory Board and chairperson of the session, said the organisation which was established in April 2013 and is not affiliated to any political party. He said it is a registered community based organization (CBO) with the aim of engaging on cleansing exercises to keep the environment clean and healthy for the people of Banjul, amongst other things. “DOC Banjul is initiated by oriented citizens of Banjul who came together and formed this organization. This organization is open to everyone residing in the city,” he said. Dawda Jangum, the Chairman of DOC, after welcoming the members, said the purpose of the meeting is for the Executive to present to the general membership their activity and financial reports and for the latter to discuss and make recommendations. He said they are now registered with the Attorney General Chambers with the Ministry of Justice as a non profit community based organization. Mr. Jangum cited some of the constraints being faced by the organization since its establishment, amongst which, he said, is lack of commitment of members of the executive which is really affecting their work. Another constraint, he added, is lacklustre response of the Banjul community to their activities. “During our activities, such as ward to ward cleansing exercise, most of the residents living within that area would not come out to at least participate, including the ward councillors,” he noted. He said they are also collaborating with the National Environment Agency but highlighted that they lack materials to do cleansing exercise. The DOC Chairperson called on the people to be positively responding to their activities as they are doing it for the interest of Banjul. Mr Jangum said they have been allocated an office by the Banjul City Council at Lasso Wharf in Banjul. Haddy Corr, the Vice Chairperson of the organisation, for her part, thanked the partners for their support. The other speakers included Alh. Sulayman Njie, senior adviser, Pa Momodou A. Cham, Mbuguma Jeng, a co-opted member and Ya Fatou Darboe, co-opted member. ]]>