Kartong VDC breaks down major development initiatives in much-awaited AGM
The meeting brought together VDC members, community leaders, youth and women representatives, and residents from across the coastal village. VDC Public Relations Officer Hatab Jaiteh welcomed participants and thanked them for contributing to decisions on VDC activities and community development. He also acknowledged elders present and soldiers from the military who provided security. Chairing the session, Jaiteh said the AGM provides a direct interface between the VDC and the people of Kartong. Secretary General Modou Lamin Touray presented the VDC report for July 2022 to July 2026. He said the current committee was formed in July 2022 and recognized by the Brikama Area Council on 7 December 2022. The council’s letter instructed the Alkalo to facilitate a handover from the dissolved VDC led by Bala Musa Manneh to the new VDC led by Buba Kwame Jarjou. “That request was not honoured by the Alkalo,” Touray said. “Several efforts were made to implement the Area Council’s resolution, but these were futile. This forced the VDC to pursue legal means.” He said the VDC first sought alternative dispute resolution, which failed, and the matter is now in court and still ongoing. Despite the challenges, Touray listed key initiatives. In 2024, the VDC planted 1,975 trees at the Kartong Community Forest and other areas with the Gambia Red Cross Society, Forestry Department, Community Development Department, Green Up Kartong and the community. Other work includes signing an MoU with Gach Global for heavy mineral mining in Kartong on 7 October 2025, and lobbying the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and MRC Holland Foundation for a senior secondary school in Kartong in 2023. The VDC also carried out road maintenance from June to August 2024 and renovated the nurses’ residence at the village health centre. From April to August 2025, the VDC held sensitization talk shows on Home Digital FM and Star TV to educate residents of Kartong and other coastal communities on the dangers of illegal sand mining and environmental destruction. Touray said the VDC remains committed to moving the community forward. Chairperson Buba Kwame Jarjou said the VDC has made progress but faces obstacles that make its work difficult. He called for peace and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to serve Kartong. On why no AGM was held since 2022, Jarjou said the VDC had been unable to secure an auditor. “Most VDC work is done on a pro bono basis. Due to limited resources, we cannot pay for services. Without an audit and a proper financial report, we cannot, for accountability purposes, hold a genuine AGM,” he said. Vice Chairperson Mariama Susan Gibba delivered the vote of thanks, commending residents for attending.
Black News 
The meeting brought together VDC members, community leaders, youth and women representatives, and residents from across the coastal village.
VDC Public Relations Officer Hatab Jaiteh welcomed participants and thanked them for contributing to decisions on VDC activities and community development. He also acknowledged elders present and soldiers from the military who provided security.
Chairing the session, Jaiteh said the AGM provides a direct interface between the VDC and the people of Kartong.
Secretary General Modou Lamin Touray presented the VDC report for July 2022 to July 2026.
He said the current committee was formed in July 2022 and recognized by the Brikama Area Council on 7 December 2022. The council’s letter instructed the Alkalo to facilitate a handover from the dissolved VDC led by Bala Musa Manneh to the new VDC led by Buba Kwame Jarjou.
“That request was not honoured by the Alkalo,” Touray said. “Several efforts were made to implement the Area Council’s resolution, but these were futile. This forced the VDC to pursue legal means.”
He said the VDC first sought alternative dispute resolution, which failed, and the matter is now in court and still ongoing.
Despite the challenges, Touray listed key initiatives. In 2024, the VDC planted 1,975 trees at the Kartong Community Forest and other areas with the Gambia Red Cross Society, Forestry Department, Community Development Department, Green Up Kartong and the community.
Other work includes signing an MoU with Gach Global for heavy mineral mining in Kartong on 7 October 2025, and lobbying the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and MRC Holland Foundation for a senior secondary school in Kartong in 2023.
The VDC also carried out road maintenance from June to August 2024 and renovated the nurses’ residence at the village health centre.
From April to August 2025, the VDC held sensitization talk shows on Home Digital FM and Star TV to educate residents of Kartong and other coastal communities on the dangers of illegal sand mining and environmental destruction.
Touray said the VDC remains committed to moving the community forward.
Chairperson Buba Kwame Jarjou said the VDC has made progress but faces obstacles that make its work difficult. He called for peace and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to serve Kartong.
On why no AGM was held since 2022, Jarjou said the VDC had been unable to secure an auditor. “Most VDC work is done on a pro bono basis. Due to limited resources, we cannot pay for services. Without an audit and a proper financial report, we cannot, for accountability purposes, hold a genuine AGM,” he said.
Vice Chairperson Mariama Susan Gibba delivered the vote of thanks, commending residents for attending.
