PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Gambian Constitutional Review Commission applauds Gambians for participation in public consultations
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) – The Gambian Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Wednesday praised Gambians for their commitment and participation in a recently held public consultation on the country's new draft constitution.
At a press conference held at its headquarters in Kotu, the commission, which has been mandated to review and draft a new constitution for the country, pledged its commitment to enhancing and sustaining mutual relationship with the public.
According to the commission, at least 104 communities and 30 schools were visited during the consultation.
“The CRC would like to register its appreciation to all Gambian who participated actively in the public consultations for their invaluable contributions or simply attended the public consultations to express quiet support and give value to the constitutional review process,” Justice Sulayman Jallow, Chairman of the commission, said.
During the nationwide consultation, the most pertinent issues discussed included-Citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, election, local government structure and empowerment.
Other issues covered the executive, health commission, education, agriculture, environment, legislature, youth and persons with disabilities.
The Commission also announced plans for Diaspora consultation but explained that this depended on the availability of funds.
Countries to be visited include-Senegal, Mauritania, Angola, United Kingdom, Spain, France Sweden, Germany, and the United States of America.
Chairman Jallow added: “But at the same time, we recognise the government commitment and our own action plan which aim basically at affording Gambians, irrespective of where they live, equal opportunities as far as possible. That will all depend on when funding is available because it makes no sense to commence the process without being assured of funding.”
He said the commission recognised that external consultation with Gambians in the Diaspora was going to be an expensive process, adding that the commission had prepared a budget that was currently being reviewed by the government
.-0- PANA MSS/RA30Jan2019
At a press conference held at its headquarters in Kotu, the commission, which has been mandated to review and draft a new constitution for the country, pledged its commitment to enhancing and sustaining mutual relationship with the public.
According to the commission, at least 104 communities and 30 schools were visited during the consultation.
“The CRC would like to register its appreciation to all Gambian who participated actively in the public consultations for their invaluable contributions or simply attended the public consultations to express quiet support and give value to the constitutional review process,” Justice Sulayman Jallow, Chairman of the commission, said.
During the nationwide consultation, the most pertinent issues discussed included-Citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, election, local government structure and empowerment.
Other issues covered the executive, health commission, education, agriculture, environment, legislature, youth and persons with disabilities.
The Commission also announced plans for Diaspora consultation but explained that this depended on the availability of funds.
Countries to be visited include-Senegal, Mauritania, Angola, United Kingdom, Spain, France Sweden, Germany, and the United States of America.
Chairman Jallow added: “But at the same time, we recognise the government commitment and our own action plan which aim basically at affording Gambians, irrespective of where they live, equal opportunities as far as possible. That will all depend on when funding is available because it makes no sense to commence the process without being assured of funding.”
He said the commission recognised that external consultation with Gambians in the Diaspora was going to be an expensive process, adding that the commission had prepared a budget that was currently being reviewed by the government
.-0- PANA MSS/RA30Jan2019
