The community of Brusubi has received a major financial boost of one million Dalasi from the President, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh. The money earmarked for further development of the settlement was disbursed to the beneficiary community when a delegation comprising residents of the settlement Monday called on President Jammeh to express solidarity with him and return gratitude to him for his development initiatives.

STORY:

A voice deeply rooted in our folklore, addressing the underlying factors of The Gambia's current state of development, and that of Brusubi in particular. The griot maestro, Aji Amie Colleh Secka raised her voice once more to praise the man at the helm of affairs. The settlement, is among the newest in the Greater Banjul Area, founded by President Jammeh's government; it today rivals many in its vicinity. It bears the initials of three glorious settlements surrounding it, namely Brufut, Sukuta and Bijilo, thus given it the name Brusubi.

Jaiteh Faal, the head of the delegation, stated that the development of Brusubi spanned over six years, yielding vast fringes of community led growth. He said the community development society was formed to complement the work of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation in the strategic areas of market construction and related amenities. Some of these facilities, Faal said have areas designated for their construction and talks are on the way with the Brikama Area Council for further progress. The community development society, he said, is also pursuing other strategic plans, including the naming of the streets in Brusubi.

Other leading members of the delegation, including Imam Essa Manneh, dealt extensively on the most ardent desire of the Gambian leader to address with equal proportion all issues concerning development. They also appealed that President Jammeh holds a rally in Brusubi, to give the residents there the opportunity to display their loyalty.

Aji Binta Bah, paid particular attention to the financial assistance given to Gambian students, including her own child, whom she said recently graduated with Masters under the Presidents Sponsorship Package.

Mambury Njie, the Minister of Economic Planning and Industrial Development and a resident of Brusubi, said the community had wished to meet the President since 2006. He couldn't have, however, forwarded the idea at the time, because he wanted to see first and foremost tangible evidence of unity and organization amongst the residents. But Minister Njie said he was convinced by the level of patriotism and responsibility assumed under the guidance of a community led initiative. He also revealed at the programme, the undertakings of the Gambian leader to ensure that land is both accessible and affordable to the poor.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mamadou Tangara and the Lord Mayor of the KMC, Yankuba Colley expressed similar sentiments, calling the move by the community of Brusubi as laudable.

The Vice President, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy said the dynamics of the settlement, has been manifested in the way and manner the community has been agitated to lead the remarkable developments awaiting government's support, not the other way round. She was also impressed with the level of political support rendered to the present government.

President Jammeh reached out to them in a form of financial support, with the sum of D1m to be used in strategic development areas. The Gambian leader urged them not to allow the money become their predicament or threaten the unity they have always manifested. He promised them government's support in the construction of a senior secondary school and related facilities but stressed the market is the sole responsibility of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation. and he will make sure the estate deloper delivers its responsibilities

He said he's been greatly impressed with the cleanliness and hygiene maintained in Brusubi, the security consciousness of its residents as well as their level of unity. These he said, must be emulated.

The Gambian leader promised to grant the community's request to hold a rally in Brusubi, under condition that the gathering will be non-political and will not take place any time around the Presidential elections. This is largely to protect a vow he earlier made that he won't hit the campaign trail come the 2011 Presidential elections.

By Abdou Njie GRTS