Earlier today, the Lord Mayor of Banjul, together with the Deputy Mayor of Banjul, held a press conference to brief the public on the progress of the Urban Youth-Led Cleaning System Project.
During the briefing, they highlighted how far the project has come, emphasizing transparency in the financial and procurement processes, which have now been fully completed in line with required procedures.
The leadership also explained the structure and capacity of the project so far, which currently engages more than 80 personnel, including:
• General Youth Workers
• Lead Coordinator
• Principal Coordinators
• Supervisors
• PR Team
• Tricycle Maintenance Technician
• Accounting Officer
• Administrative Staff
This strong and well-organized system ensures accountability, efficiency, and sustained impact across the city.
It was further clarified that the project is being implemented under a formal Partnership Agreement and operates with clear governance and oversight. The only disbursement made so far by the Banjul City Council is One Million Dalasis (D1,000,000). The leadership explained that this amount has so far been used strictly for the procurement of essential items and working tools, as well as the repair and preparation of tricycles required for operations.
It was further emphasized that no wages or salaries have yet been paid from this amount, and that the remaining balance is retained in the project account specifically to cover the payment of wages and salaries at the end of the month. To support this explanation, a statement of accounts was presented and discussed during the press briefing, clearly indicating expenditures made, balances remaining, and the intended use of funds.
In view of this funding position, the leadership explained that the number of recruits has, for now, been deliberately limited to ensure that all engaged personnel are paid fully and on time. As additional funding becomes available and the system continues to stabilize, the project will progressively increase the number of youth engaged.
The public was also informed that all recruited personnel were subjected to contract signing prior to commencement, and that all contract documents, procurement records, and supporting materials were openly displayed and presented to members of the press during the briefing. All procurement processes followed the required guidelines, and all relevant documentation was made available for verification. There is nothing unclear or undocumented in the implementation of the project.
In addition, it was emphasized that, in accordance with the reporting provisions of the Partnership Agreement, RAFELA will submit regular progress reports to the Office of the Chief Executive of the Banjul City Council, including quarterly progress reports, as well as a final report upon completion of the project. This reporting framework ensures continued institutional oversight and accountability throughout the life of the initiative.
The leadership also underscored that press briefings of this nature are an important part of the project’s transparency and public engagement, providing an avenue to keep residents informed, address concerns, and ensure that accurate information is shared openly with the public.
Importantly, the leadership reiterated that the operational duration of the Urban Youth-Led Cleaning System Project is guided by formal ministerial approval, authorizing implementation from 01 September 2025 to 31 December 2026. This confirms the project’s long-term orientation and alignment with national urban sanitation and youth empowerment priorities.
This initiative is not a short-term clean-up. It is a structured, transparent, and sustainable system designed for lasting impact.
𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬.
