By: Haruna Kuyateh
The Governor of North Bank Region (NBR), Lamin Saidykhan, has called for zero tolerance on lateness during regional Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings and office work, urging institutions and NGOs to enhance performance and delivery.
These are part of efforts to strengthen local governance, accountability, and transparency in the implementation of projects and programs for the second quarter of 2025.
The TAC meeting forms part of Action Aid International’s commitment to strengthening local governance through a Human Rights-Based Approach to sustainable development. The forum brought together over 50 heads of institutions and NGOs.
Organised by the Governor’s Office in collaboration with ActionAid International The Gambia, the second quarterly Regional Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting was held at the Governor’s Office in Kerewan. The meeting served as an interface between duty bearers and rights holders.
Governor Saidykhan then underscored the importance of TAC as the region’s technical arm and called on institutions and NGOs to remain committed to the implementation of their projects and programs. He said the interface was meant to promote accountability and transparency in the level of intervention and its possible impact on the lives of people.
The governor used the occasion to express his office’s zero tolerance policy on lateness, both in attending meetings and in project implementation. He noted that the synergy would enhance collaboration and information sharing among members and assured them of his office’s full support. During the meeting, various institutions that arrived late were asked to return for failing to honour the stipulated 9:00 am starting time. Saidykhan said the move was necessary to instil time consciousness in all stakeholders.
Saikou Darboe, Program Manager at ActionAid’s Juffureh Office, reiterated his organisation’s commitment to supporting TAC meetings. He called on the Kerewan Area Council to complement agency efforts and take ownership of organising regional meetings. Darboe added that the support was meant to enhance regional accountability and transparency, create awareness of various interventions, and foster collaboration. He thanked stakeholders for their cooperation and urged the Kerewan Area Council to include TAC meetings in its annual activity plan.
Alasan Keita, Director of Planning at Kerewan Area Council, thanked ActionAid for complementing the council’s efforts, noting that all institutions and NGOs were mandated to submit annual reports to the council. He said the Local Government Act served as a key entry point for development and disclosed that ActionAid was working with the council to review its five-year strategic plan to better respond to emerging development needs.
Juldeh Camara, Regional Police Commissioner for NBR, described the meeting as important and called on TAC members to be punctual and committed. He reaffirmed his office’s dedication to promoting community policing and strengthening cooperation between communities and security services.
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