16/05/2021
THREE YEARS IN OFFICE- PROGRESS REPORT
Today marks my three-years in Office as the first elected female Mayor of Banjul and The Gambia along with my dedicated councillors. It has been a very inspiring and transforming journey for me so far, ensuring and supporting the wellbeing of the people of Banjul. I will love to extend my sincere appreciation to the people of Banjul for entrusting me with this role, central government, for the continued partnership and joint efforts in advancing the city, to the women and youths as well my party, the United Democratic party (UDP) for the believe and confidence they have already had in me. To the development agencies that have been very committed partners, such as the UNDP, UCLG, UNOSSC, UN Women, REFELA, EU, Chinese Embassy, UNOPS, Oostende City, Nanning City, etc we appreciate the partnerships. To the CSOs, we continue to appreciate all your efforts in our activities. To the Diaspora, we appreciate all your contributions. To other political leaders who have been very supportive, we extend our appreciation. It is only through collective efforts we can develop this country. Also, to the general citizenry, your constructive criticism has helped me improved during these past three years and finally to the media for playing their role in always disseminating information about our engagements to the people. Therefore, I would love to share some of the achievements my team and I have registered since my election into office.
Over the years, I have been elected and nominated for the following roles:
President African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum.
President REFELA-The Gambia National Chapter.
Executive Member Global Parliament of Mayors.
2nd Vice President United Democratic Party National Executive.
Board Member, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
Recognised as Mayor of the Month of April 2021- by UCLG.
Personal Profile:
Born and raised in Banjul, The Gambia, Rohey Malick Lowe has been a proactive leader with a significant number of years experience in politics. An entrepreneur who has successfully been established in the tourism industry. With an academic background in International Relations at the University of Falun in Sweden, her academic experience has provided her with a strong theoretical knowledge of public administration. She was also very active in the political arena where she subsequently became a member of a political party called âSocial Democratsâ which gave her the opportunity to serve as a key member of the Child Welfare Committee of Nyköping Municipality with the mandate to oversee the schools within her jurisdiction.
On 12 May, 2018, she was elected as the Mayor of Banjul. Since then, she has demonstrated professionalism through her leadership style by being very diligent and ensured inclusivity of all the inhabitants of the city of Banjul in policy processes as well as giving them a voice to engage in all decisions regarding their city. Furthermore, part of her governance also includes engaging all relevant stakeholders, especially Civil Society Organisations in Banjul for more collaborative efforts for the development of the City. She also implemented capacity strengthening initiatives in her city by restructuring the various departments and hiring qualified technocrats to assist in the daily administration of the council. She has also been a key participant in several international forums, advocating the localization of the SDGs. Due to her strong involvement towards the advancement of the SDGs; she was invited by the Canadian government to do a presentation about her work.
Achievements Registered- (2018 to date)
Below are the achievements registered in different sectors:
EDUCATION:
Awarded Scholarships to 237 students in Banjul from the Senior Secondary level, tertiary and vocational and technical institution.
Supported all schools in Banjul, including the âMadarasasâ and the Gambia National Library with library materials, such as books and other learning materials. This was done, after she did a tour of all the schools to get first-hand information about their challenges.
Supported in the construction of classrooms at the Presentation Girls Vocational School in Banjul. This resulted in one of the classes named after her for her contribution to this development.
Secured a 3.1 million euro grant from the European Union as a partnership with the Oostende. Part of the funds will do the following:
Transform Crab Island School to a Sustainable Development Centre for the Youths with 8 classes. This centre will provide informational technology studies and services for youths, support in building their arts and creativity skills, tech courses such as masonry, carpentry, architecture.
Through her negotiations and lobbying skills, she secured bilateral training courses from The Government of The Peopleâs Republic of China on Human Recourses Development, Education Policy, Medical Care, Information Technology and Public Diplomacy respectively.
Fully funded short-term training for teachers from Garba Jahumpa, Gambia Senior Secondary and St. Josephâs Senior amongst other teachers in other municipalities to further develop their skills and learn from other experiences abroad.
HEALTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE:
Donated a fully equipped Ambulance to the main referral hospital in Banjul (Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital).
Donated a fully equipped and the first community Ambulance to the Banjul Red Cross Society through a support from Banjul-Oostende City Link.
Provided 3000 (Three Thousand) Dustbins to each and every household in Banjul for the Urban Waste Management Initiative she initiated for Banjul.
Secured a Compactor for the waste collection and Sewage Vehicle from Nanning City â China (Twin link partner to Banjul City Council)
Distributed Wash Hand materials to all the strategic locations in Banjul and Institutions in order to curb the pandemic in the City of Banjul.
Initiated Banjul COVID-19 Sensitisation Team, which composed of the Banjul City Councillors, Staff, and Coalition Civil Society Organisations in Banjul and Banjul Red Cross Society.
Through REFELA-THE GAMBIA NATIONAL CHAPTER, the team conducted a fumigation and waste collection exercise for 6 days within the inner City of Banjul (Public places - Markets, Mosques, Churches, Schools, Library and Ferry Terminal) as part of efforts to suppress the spread of the virus. Distributed 50,000 facemask donated by IDA BASS KIDNEY FOUNDATION and 200,000 facemasks recently donated by United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation-UNOSSC to almost all the markets, schools, health centres and public places in Banjul and by extension The Gambia.
Further initiated the âOPERATIONS 100 THOUSAND FACEMASKS INITIATIVEâ for the people of Banjul and by extension The Gambia to compliment efforts.
Initiated âBANJUL RELIEF INITIATIVEâ during the peak of COVID-19 to help the residents of Banjul with essential foods items such as rice, sugar, oil amongst others for them to adhere to the WHO and our Ministry of Health and Social Welfare regulations in suppressing the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home. This initiative supported 2500 households in the City of Banjul.
Initiated âKNOW YOUR COVID-19 STATUSâ for the people of Banjul. This initiative gave the residents and commuters of the City the opportunity to know their COVID-19 status.
Fully funded short term training for 8 nurses abroad to further develop and broaden their experience in the health sector.
Construction of an Abattoir at the Banjul Albert Market (in progress)
Construction of the new Banjul City Council complex (in progress)
Construction of modern toilets at the Banjul Albert Market
Construction of the Multi-purpose Youth for Excellence Centre for the youths of Banjul (in progress)
Influenced the implementation of the Banjul Rehabilitation Project, which will address 37km of Roads, Drainages and Sewage Systems of Banjul.
Construction of 10 storage facilities for the women vendors at the Banjul Albert Market (in progress)
Construction of concrete and interlock block roads to the following streets in Banjul:
1. Peel Street
2. Spalding Street
3. Spalding Curve
4. Tally Dawada (To***co Road)
5. Haddington Street
6. Primet Street
ENVIRONMENT:
Greening of the City by planting thousands of coconut trees at the Banjul Beach to help address sea-level rise, inner city beautification and mangroves along the coastal line of the Banjul Beach.
Secured 2 brand new Waste Trucks from Gambia Ports Authority to remedy the waste management system in Banjul
As part of the City link Oostende-Banjul EU Project, recently purchased 5700 Trash cans and 2 Brand New Waste trucks to continue improving the waste management and collection system in the City of Banjul. These items are at McCarthy Square and will be distributed soon.
We have started the reintroduction and awareness about anti-littering in the city.
SPORTS:
Consolidated âThe Mayorâs trophyâ, dedicated to Mayor of Banjul, meant to revive the Councilâs participation and involvement in sports through the Banjul sports committee. As part of this program in 2019, the Mayor made a personal contribution of D80, 000.00 to meet the registration fees for all teams competing in the championship through the Banjul Sports Committee.
Rehabilitated the Manneh Sillah Basketball Lawn in collaboration with the Banjul Basketball Federation
Supported the wrestling team for Banjul
RELIGION AND CULTURE:
Fostered a very good relationship with the Muslim and Christian community, building a good relationship in promoting religious tolerance, harmony, and cooperation. Over the years, the council has reached to the Bishop and Muslim leaders to seek guidance in ensuring interfaith tolerance in the city.
Banjul Muslim elders donated a funeral car (hearse) and the Imam Ratibâs organisation equally donated the same. These cars are used by Muslims and Christians.
Council has been engaged and supporting cultural activities. For instance, the Banjul âpaddleâ community in which we contribute towards their engagements during festive seasons amongst others.
EMPOWERMENT:
Initiated the Rohey Malick Lowe Women and Girls Empowerment Initiative. This initiative through her personal support was able to launch D10, 000,000.00 (Ten Million Dalasis), to support the women of Banjul who want to start-up businesses or expand their businesses. So far, the initiative has already disbursed the funds to 45 women groups and 60 individual women in business. The initiative has also collaborated with Banjul City Council for the construction of the Abattoir in the Albert Market.
She also launched REFELA THE GAMBIA NATIONAL CHAPTER. This network is here to Empower Women â Politically and economically and to advocate for the SDGs and African Vision on Human Right and Zero Tolerance of Children on the Streets.
She also initiated a team to create awareness on âLOCALIZING OF THE 2030 SDGs AGENDAâ in Banjul and by extension The Gambia.
EMPLOYMENT:
Banjul City Council under her leadership recruited 45 youths trained them professionally via the police training school, equipped them with the necessary skills and were employed as security personnel at BCC. This is to render security services to the city.
Established a procurement office with a qualified procurement officers.
Employed a qualified Finance Director for the first time and a senior finance officer. Moreover, there has been a thorough reinforcement of the finance department.
Restructuring and rebranding of the waste management office to provide quality service delivery for the city (in progress)
GOOD GOVERNANCE:
Restructuring Banjul City Council by establishing the following:
Office of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Employed 8 professionals who are managing the Banjul- EU project as per the project agreement.
Established a records office for proper filing system of the institution. We are happy to share that every staff at BCC has now a personal file.
Closed the numerous Bank accounts and settled all Bank Debts. At the moment, BCC doesnât owe any bank, either through overdraft or debt.
Re-Instalment of Electricity and Water supply from NAWEC. It is important to know that before coming into office, The City Council has been running on generator for 3 years. We are also happy to say that within a very short we have settled all NAWEC arrears.
Maximize the revenue to 42%, recently increased to 50%
Immediately Increased the salary of all staff to 50%, plus a 25% risk allowances provided to all Revenue Collectors.
Introduced a suggestion box for the general public to send in their contributions about what they think the institution should improve on for the development of the City.
Introduced an all-inclusiveness approach policy for the effective running of the City Council. A clear manifestation is partnering with Civil Society Organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
Introduced Accountability and Transparency in the operations of the daily running of the institution.
In partnership with the ministry of information and communication infrastructure Introduced a digital addressing system to each and every household, government offices, businesses and other buildings across the City of Banjul using Plus Codes and easy to use on digital maps such as Google Maps. Each building has a blue board affixed on the main entrance representing the Plus Code address of that building.
Secured an inter-City relationship between Banjul and Saginaw- State of Texas- USA under the leadership of Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe and Mayor Todd Flippo.
Introduce the first ever participatory budget estimates 2021 for Banjul City Council by inviting all the relevant stakeholders (Ward Development Committee representatives, CSOs, Women and Youths) to participate during the consultation meetings about the budget estimates 2021 for BCC.
Introduced a clocking in and out of work in a form of fingerprint or pass code. This was done to add value to the institution as it gives quick access to information and reports that shows attendance.
Once again, thank you for the continued support and trust in the team. It has not been an easy ride, we have made mistakes along the way because to err is human, but we continue to learn from these experiences to always improve what we do for the advancement of our people. To the REFELA team my very own family I continue to be proud to work with you. To the chairman of the Banjul youth committee âjerejefâ âAbarakaâ âJarrama buiâ for your efforts and care towards my very own children the youths of Banjul, to the staff of BCC and councillors who work tirelessly in their wards, thank you for working with me and for your services.
On a final note, it is important to know that 50% of compound owners do not pay their rates, as partners in development i urge them to pay their compound rates and to pay on time. Moreover, the issue of littering on the streets are also challenges.
To more work, for the people of Banjul, women and youths of this country! Eid Mubarak to you all!
Sincerely,
Rohey Malick Lowe.
