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Karl
136 Posts |
 Posted - 10 May 2007 : 16:24:55
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200705090397.html
This is from Foroyaa NewsPaper Editorial and i think it is an excellent idea that can significantly improve social and political lives at local levels.
It is about time for Gambian people to understand the role of the Municipal and Area councils in the Gambia and make them accountable for their purpose. Therefore coming up with such a task that can significantltly highlight these issues will not only empower local peoples but could also inspire their visions in some context. This may even encourage individuals at this institutions to operate in a more visionary fashion developing their purpose to fulfill subject matters affecting their local areas.
However this can only be realised if local administrators are morally and politically accountable to the people at Local Levels. Seeing exectly where their taxes go at thses levels can be a source of encouragement that can enchanced self improvement from village communities to district levels through divisional and eventually at national level.
This is my view and i personally welcomed foroyaa's idea, maybe others would like to debate on the matter.
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"People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster" J Baldwin |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2007 : 12:52:25
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| karl, what an ideal world, this is practiced in gambia, but i guarantee without media at least newspapers most rural people will not know who takes their taxes. accountable/responsibility /visibility from the minor officials would be start in Gambia, but it is a two headed beast, as officials change more than the weather, some are playing catch up on the previous job holider |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2007 : 12:52:25
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| karl, what an ideal world, this is practiced in gambia, but i guarantee without media at least newspapers most rural people will not know who takes their taxes. accountable/responsibility /visibility from the minor officials would be start in Gambia, but it is a two headed beast, as officials change more than the weather, some are playing catch up on the previous job holider |
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Karl
136 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 14:14:23
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I agreed with you jambo, it's sad the role of the media is very limited or non existing to some extent in the rural areas. The availability of printed media in rural places has a very limited circulation, this is not the fault of the media but due to high level of illitracy and other logistics factors. However, if the issue become a centre stage within the urban areas, the concept will be far reaching to the rest of the population in the long run.
The main problem on the side of the officials, is the political party affiliation. Am not too sure if these senior officials are even elected now or are just political appointees with APRC flag. I was in the Gambia 4 months ago, i went to my village, met a local Government junior officer who was there counting and updating the records for number of houses in compounds. In return thoses figures were to be used to determine how much each of these poor households should pay in tax. Seeing this, i thought to myself, what is the purpose of this because when you look around in that community, there is nothing in return from their local authority, no roads,electricity, water and even medical facilities they have to spend a fortune to get to when needed. The situation is very unfair and these people needs help.
They need help to straighten their backs to the realities of modern world and its concepts of local Authority. "whenever men and women straighten their back up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent." (Dr.M L King)
On that note, free media will go a long way to enhance this process of straighting the backs of the local tax payers, who can eventually stand up and understand why they are paying, what are the expectations and who are those entrusted to operate on their behalf. This will gradually give power to the people from grass roots right up to the national level and who knows, State House may finally be handed to orinary people in our own generation.
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"People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster" J Baldwin |
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Karl
136 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 14:14:23
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I agreed with you jambo, it's sad the role of the media is very limited or non existing to some extent in the rural areas. The availability of printed media in rural places has a very limited circulation, this is not the fault of the media but due to high level of illitracy and other logistics factors. However, if the issue become a centre stage within the urban areas, the concept will be far reaching to the rest of the population in the long run.
The main problem on the side of the officials, is the political party affiliation. Am not too sure if these senior officials are even elected now or are just political appointees with APRC flag. I was in the Gambia 4 months ago, i went to my village, met a local Government junior officer who was there counting and updating the records for number of houses in compounds. In return thoses figures were to be used to determine how much each of these poor households should pay in tax. Seeing this, i thought to myself, what is the purpose of this because when you look around in that community, there is nothing in return from their local authority, no roads,electricity, water and even medical facilities they have to spend a fortune to get to when needed. The situation is very unfair and these people needs help.
They need help to straighten their backs to the realities of modern world and its concepts of local Authority. "whenever men and women straighten their back up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent." (Dr.M L King)
On that note, free media will go a long way to enhance this process of straighting the backs of the local tax payers, who can eventually stand up and understand why they are paying, what are the expectations and who are those entrusted to operate on their behalf. This will gradually give power to the people from grass roots right up to the national level and who knows, State House may finally be handed to orinary people in our own generation.
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"People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster" J Baldwin |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 09:02:45
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| I dont know what we are paying tax for.No sign of local council activities in any part of our communities.But just visit their homes you will know were our tax goes.Even the clerks got a mansion. |
Edited by salimina |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 09:02:45
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| I dont know what we are paying tax for.No sign of local council activities in any part of our communities.But just visit their homes you will know were our tax goes.Even the clerks got a mansion. |
Edited by salimina |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 15:23:52
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quote:
Originally posted by salimina
I dont know what we are paying tax for.No sign of local council activities in any part of our communities.But just visit their homes you will know were our tax goes.Even the clerks got a mansion.
salimina,
Now you accept that the civil servants are corrupt.
The local government authorities do not care of their tax payers that is why in the case of Birkama Area Council, a lot senior people got sacked.
Now you see the light |
Edited by - Alhassan on 21 May 2007 15:25:03 |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 15:23:52
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quote:
Originally posted by salimina
I dont know what we are paying tax for.No sign of local council activities in any part of our communities.But just visit their homes you will know were our tax goes.Even the clerks got a mansion.
salimina,
Now you accept that the civil servants are corrupt.
The local government authorities do not care of their tax payers that is why in the case of Birkama Area Council, a lot senior people got sacked.
Now you see the light |
Edited by - Alhassan on 21 May 2007 15:25:03 |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 23:02:26
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Alhassan,
No one can accused me of being just anti-jammeh.I criticise the government as well as the bad cultural norms in our society.To believe, just check all my postings.
Thanks |
Edited by salimina |
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salimina
253 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 23:02:26
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Alhassan,
No one can accused me of being just anti-jammeh.I criticise the government as well as the bad cultural norms in our society.To believe, just check all my postings.
Thanks |
Edited by salimina |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 13:36:57
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quote:
Originally posted by salimina
Alhassan,
No one can accused me of being just anti-jammeh.I criticise the government as well as the bad cultural norms in our society.To believe, just check all my postings.
Thanks
salimina,
If you say so. Then I hope you shall investigate properly next time Jammeh sacks a person. Remember, what you said here is different from the forum with Rah and others debate. |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 13:36:57
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quote:
Originally posted by salimina
Alhassan,
No one can accused me of being just anti-jammeh.I criticise the government as well as the bad cultural norms in our society.To believe, just check all my postings.
Thanks
salimina,
If you say so. Then I hope you shall investigate properly next time Jammeh sacks a person. Remember, what you said here is different from the forum with Rah and others debate. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2007 : 01:06:51
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Foroyaas initiative is a proactive way forward in the right direction to empower local communities. I totally agree with Small's slogan of "No taxation without representation!" Councillors must realise that they are accountable to their local communities. Another service they should provide is road naming and house numbering so that mail can be delivered door to door. It's long overdue!
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2007 : 01:06:51
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Foroyaas initiative is a proactive way forward in the right direction to empower local communities. I totally agree with Small's slogan of "No taxation without representation!" Councillors must realise that they are accountable to their local communities. Another service they should provide is road naming and house numbering so that mail can be delivered door to door. It's long overdue!
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2007 : 09:42:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Foroyaas initiative is a proactive way forward in the right direction to empower local communities. I totally agree with Small's slogan of "No taxation without representation!" Councillors must realise that they are accountable to their local communities. Another service they should provide is road naming and house numbering so that mail can be delivered door to door. It's long overdue!
Peace
Sister Omega
Sister,
You seem to have a good knowledge of the faults of the Local government authorities. This are exactly what tax payers should demand, and these are some of the topics Foroyaa should dwell on in my opinion. Inform the tax payers of their rights and dues.
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