By Lamin Njie
UDP leader Ousainu Darboe said on Tuesday true reconciliation is not only about conceding civil liberties of the people, ‘it is also about political and economic transformation,’ in a New Year message to Gambians.
Mr Darboe insisted reconciliation means that “we should continue to use the capability of the state to improve the lives of the people, to have a tax regime that is progressive and public finances that are responsibly managed.” The UDP leader also said “reconciliation also requires that we have access to quality health care through, among other things, the introduction of a National Health Insurance.”
However, Mr Darboe argued “reconciliation is impossible as long as corruption continues, some individuals continue to sow division, the vast majority of our people continue to live in poverty, high youth unemployment which has led to a pervasive sense of hopelessness that is responsible for the tragedy off the coast of Mauritania early this month.”
“We must address the unfinished business of our democratic transition. We must close the festering wound of abject poverty that exists amongst our people. We must forge ahead with law reform and social development. We must continue to transform our workplaces and restructure our economy so that it benefits all.
“In this sense, reconciliation is a very practical undertaking. It is about the work that needs to be done to unlock investment in our economy, to reduce the cost of doing business and to promote growth. It is about the urgent measures we need to take to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to homes and businesses. It is about ensuring that our water resources are preserved and equally available to all,” Mr Darboe said.
