By Fatou Sillah
The Brikama Area Council (BAC) has announced that it has successfully reduced the deficit it inherited from the previous administration by a significant amount. The deficit, which according to the Council stood at over 10 million Gambian dalasi (GMD) as of May 2023, has now been reduced to 330,000 GMD.
The BAC attributed the significant debt reduction to the introduction of a Financial Threshold Mechanism (FTM). The FTM is a system that reduces the amount of money that can be spent by the council on a daily basis. This has helped to curb unnecessary spending and has freed up resources that can be used to pay off the debt.
“Within 100 days in office, we have successfully reduced the inherited deficit of over 10 million GMD as of May 2023 to 330,000 GMD by August 31, 2023, through the introduction of a Financial Threshold Mechanism,” the statement said.
The Council also reveals that they have successfully recovered and disbursed nine million Dalasi from the Geology Royalty funds to communities that have been affected by mining operations.
“BAC has successfully recovered and disbursed D9,000,000 (nine million dalasis) from the geology royalty funds of 2022. These funds are intended for the benefit of communities affected by mining and have been allocated to the respective Ward Development Committees. Notably, these wards include Sanyang Ward, Kafuta Ward, Bulock Ward, Kembujeh Ward, Gunjur Ward, and Kartong Ward,” The statement reveals.
The council further states that the funds will be utilized to address various development needs within the West Coast Region.
“The funds will be utilized to address various development needs within these communities. These needs encompass the improvement of sporting facilities, the rehabilitation of community health posts crucial for primary healthcare, the expansion of electricity infrastructure, and the construction and rehabilitation of village market centers. These investments aim to address the key development requirements of communities impacted by mining,” The statement said.