Lamin Ceesay, National Assembly Member for Kiang West
By Fatou Sillah
The National Assembly Member for Kiang West, Lamin Ceesay, has called on the government to demonstrate greater seriousness in addressing the country’s pressing challenges. Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, NAM Ceesay expressed concern that the nation is not reaping the benefits for which Gambians fought in 2016.
“This country deserves better; what we fought for in 2016 is not really this,” he said.
NAM Ceesay questioned whether the economic progress highlighted by the president is truly benefiting citizens.
“The fundamental primary question is how that has impacted the lives and livelihood of the people? How is the affordability of the healthcare services, the education, and the social services? How is the affordability of all of that? How is the government’s performance in terms of poverty reduction?” he asked.
He cited the challenges in accessing healthcare, sharing a personal experience. On the eve of Koriteh, his younger brother was bitten by a dog and required urgent medical treatment. He noted that government hospitals were unable to provide the necessary injection.
“I was able to get it from AFRICMED. If that had happened to a poor farmer in Kiang, in Jarra, in Foni, they could have died,” he said.
NAM Ceesay also criticized the government for delays in operationalizing the Anti-Corruption Commission, which had been approved by the National Assembly.
“Four months down the line, how serious can you be as a government if that commission is still not operational? Why is it not operational? Because there is no commitment, there is no political will in dealing with corruption,” he said.
He further highlighted the employment challenges facing young graduates.
“Today, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education is shortlisting, and they are to take only 700 people out of the 6,000 young people,” he said.
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