A self-help sponsored street rehabilitation exercise by residents of Hagan Street is underway in Banjul; a street that links most of the minor ones in the southern part of the capital.

This voluntary initiative by residents of the area is supported by the Tourism and Culture minister, Honourable Nancy Njie. Daily Observer's reporter was at the occasion last Friday and caught up with Lamin Gaye, resident of the street, and Momodou Njie, councilor of the area, leading a group of people, including some youths.

"We the concerned citizens of the area stepped up today with support from Nancy Njie, minister of Tourism and Culture, to embark on this rehabilitation. As you can see, this area, like many other areas in Banjul, is a very important road. It connects most of the streets, so we do not want to see the street being difficult to be used by people and even vehicles. It was due to these facts that we bought the full truck trips of gravel we are using now. We do not want to wait any longer; we are taking the lead ourselves, whosoever wants to support us can come as Minister Njie did. People have to emulate the good and concerned citizens like President Jammeh," Gaye stressed.

Gaye, like others who spoke to the Daily Observer, expressed concern about the current conditions of the streets in Banjul. He used the opportunity to call on companies, institutions and other stakeholders, especially those in Banjul, to contribute in their little way to the works in the city. Momodou Biran Njie, councilor of the area said the Banjul City Council (BCC) has just conducted a study, but actions could not be taken because of the rain. He expressed hope that soon after the rains, works in the streets of Banjul will start. 

"We are doing this as a form of grassroots participation; we are grassroots agencies. We represent the council in the community. In such situations, we mobilise people and kick start the work to complement the efforts of the government," Njie explained. He said they, as the residents of the area, and some well-wishers started the process before proper steps are taken to rehabilitate the streets.