The Committee that has since Monday been holding series of regional meetings with the party structures to discuss issues relating to the successful convening of the much anticipated congress slated for March, 2014, are urging party militants to play their role in ensuring that the convergence is successful.

The Committee on Tuesday held a meeting in the island town of Janjanbureh, CRR, where stakeholders and party militants were enlightened on the APRC’s 5th National Congress.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Majority leader of the National Assembly and chair of the Committee, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, highlighted the many strides of the governing party in all sectors of national development. For Jatta, also the National Assembly member for Serrekunda East, strides in the education sector are the biggest so far, making reference to the establishment of the University of The Gambia (UTG) that produced quality graduates like Momodou Sabally, current secretary general, head of Civil Service and Presidential Affairs minister.

Jatta used the opportunity to pay tribute to all the past and present guards of the APRC Revolution as well as supporters and sympathisers for their support. The Gambian leader, he said, is cognizant of their contribution to the party and enjoined them to remain steadfast.

The veteran lawmaker said although they are tasked with the responsibility to coordinate the forthcoming APRC National Congress, there is the need for all party supporters and sympathisers to also play their role for the success of the event. “We are here to dialogue with you and the theme for this year’s national congress is “Sustaining two decades of unprecedented development and people’s empowerment: The way forward,” he noted.

The speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang, said the almost 20-year-old party has registered unprecedented sustainable development visibly at every nook and cranny of the country.

 He further stated that the party has delivered 20 years of sustainable development to the citizenry, expressing confidence that the gains will be more consolidated in the years ahead. “The Taskforce Committee is touring the country to dialogue with the local people following the Gambian leader’s approval,” he affirmed.

Bojang described the APRC as the most organised political structure in the country, but was quick to challenge militants to remain steadfast to the cause.

The governor of the region, Ganyie Touray, said the meeting was very vital in that it brought together diverse people of the same political party to brainstorm on issues that would contribute to the success of the congress. The congress, he added, would develop strategies aimed at moving the party forward for greater socio-economic development.

Governor Touray thanked the party militants and supporters for shelving all other equally important schedules for the meeting.

The mayor of Kanifing Municipality, Yankuba Colley, also the APRC national mobiliser, said the difference between them and the others is that they are not only more development-oriented, but also sensitive to the needs of the taxpayers.

He told the militants that they deemed it vital to engage party structures at the grassroots before the congress so as to share ideas and experiences that would lead to a successful event. “We have held a few congresses since APRC came into being, but this one will be very special because it will highlight the sustainable development registered since them,” he said.

The National Assembly member for Nanija constituency, Hon. Hasanatou Jallow, also used the platform to highlight the numerous developments registered by the APRC government under the watchful eyes of President Jammeh.

Other speakers included the APRC regional chairman, Alhagie Babou Jobe; regional women mobiliser, Aja Yateh Faye; Aja Babung Sidibeh, and chief Bakary Jam Jawo of Janjanbueh. They equally thanked the APRC government for the numerous developments registered since 1994.