I Never Divided Gambia's Opposition-Lawyer Darboe Tells BBC Focus On Africa Program!!

                 As He Vows To Tackle Jammeh Come September Elections

Darboe Says he will never Abandon UDP for a New Party like NADD

The Presidential flag bearer of the NRP/UDP Alliance has denied dividing the Gambian opposition, as he affirms his determination to face incumbent President Jammeh and all contenders in the coming polls. Speaking in an interview with BBC Focus On Africa's Maimuna Jallow, the twice Presidential aspirant Ousainou Darboe justified his parting with NADD. Mr.Darboe argues that he will never abandon his party to join a new party like NADD, which was created to serve for five years. Darboe said he respected the memorandum of understanding which was signed on January 29TH by opposition leaders, but insists that he will not abandon his party for NADD. 

Darboe Denies Dividing the Gambian Opposition

The UDP leader who have the largest following in the West African country sounded optimistic in the said BBC interview. Mr.Darboe said he had been preparing the ground work to tackle Jammeh for the past four years and his party was set to go ahead with business. "I'm prepared to face Jammeh. I have been preparing for him for the past four years. We are prepared to face any other candidate.Said the popular politician.

Commenting on the composition of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr.Darboe believes that for the IEC to be taken seriously by the country's voters it should assert its independence. He says under normal democratic settings, the IEC should comprise of members of civil society and not government hand picked officials. He says his party had been advocating for a broad base IEC, which should  consists of civil society members.

When asked what development plans they have in place when voted into office, the Dobo born politician emphasized his party's commitment to uplift the status of the country's marginalized youth population. Darboe said Gambian youths would  be taken care off, as he unveiled a plan to initiate a commercial Bank that would give loans to youths to engage in small scale projects. 

On Health care, Darboe said a NRP/UDP lead government will revamp the ailing health sector by ensuring that all health centres across the nation are properly serviced by professional and competent health workers. He says revamping Gambia's health system would be a major priority for his party. Mr.Darboe also underscored the need to promote women education in the Gambia if voted into office. While citing the important role women can play in national development, the NRP/UDP Presidential aspirant said the country's women would be given access to education all levels. Maximizing formal education was also one of their key priorities if voted he said. On the uestion where they will get  funds to fulfill such developmental projects, Darboe said they will rely on developmental partners to ensure that their target goal was reached. 



    
Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 (Archive on Thursday, September 07, 2006)
Posted by PNMBAI  Contributed by PNMBAI

 		
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