By Demba Bah
The Banjul City Council (BCC) has begun discussions on a proposed 13 million dalasi cleansing exercise initiative, modeled after the Bloomberg Project, which concluded after three months. The proposal was deliberated during the council’s general meeting on April 3, 2025.
The Bloomberg initiative, a Refala project, employed workers on daily wages to clean the streets of Banjul. Deputy Mayor Abdul Aziz Gaye, also known as Daback, and other councillors are advocating for the institutionalization of this initiative within the council’s budget. Gaye emphasized that the previous project’s success was due to its engagement of Banjul residents, who were paid approximately 6,000 dalasi per month for their work.
“The Bloomberg project was effective because it involved the local community. If we institutionalize it, we can ensure a cleaner city while providing employment opportunities,” Gaye said.
Gaye urged the council to approve the budget allocation for the initiative, as outlined in the 2025 draft budget estimates. His push for the initiative followed concerns raised by Councillor Tunko Jammeh of Soldier Town Ward, who previously volunteered in cleansing services for seven years before taking office. Jammeh questioned why the cleansing services budget had been reduced from 4 million dalasi in 2024 to 3 million dalasi in 2025.
In response, Sheriff Njie, BCC’s acting finance director, stated that 30 employees from the existing cleansing services unit would be transitioned to the new initiative. However, this raised concerns among several councillors, including Jammeh, Pa Mamud Ceesay of New Town West Ward, Ebou Sarr of New Town East Ward, and nominated youth councillor Abdoulie Krubally. They highlighted issues related to employee benefits, specifically gratuities and pensions, which would not be available to contract-based workers under the proposed initiative.
Modou Jonga, BCC’s chief executive officer, assured the council that current employees would have the option to either join the new initiative on contract terms or remain in their existing positions within the cleansing services unit.
Following the discussions, councillors called for a thorough review of the proposal before making a final decision on its implementation.
