By: Modou Touray
The Brikama Area Council (BAC) has distributed a total amount of D28 million earmarked for the development of local communities in the West Coast Region (WCR). This marks the third round of the Ward Development Fund initiative, which was first launched on February 28, 2024, and continued in 2025, now reaching its 2026 phase.
West Coast Region, the largest administrative region in The Gambia, consists of 28 electoral wards, each represented by an elected councillor.
Each ward has received D1 million in this year’s allocation, to be utilized for priority development projects that cater to the specific needs of their respective communities.
During the distribution ceremony held at the area council Thursday, BAC Chairman Yankuba Darboe clarified that the fund is not a grant or donation from any external institution. He stressed that the source of the money is the taxes paid by the region’s residents and is now being reinvested directly back into their communities.
Chairman Darboe highlighted the key community needs that will be prioritized with this fund, including access to clean and safe drinking water, support for rural electrification, strengthening health service delivery, constructing and rehabilitating football fields for youth, and developing markets, garages, and other public facilities.
He warned against any misuse or personal gain, emphasizing that the funds must be strictly used for development purposes.
The Chairman also called on the councillors to maintain transparency and accountability standards, citing the taxpayers’ right to know how public funds are being utilized. The wards that have benefited from this round of disbursements include Sintet, Bullock, Banjulinding, Jiboro, Brufut, and others across the region.
