Ansoumane Camara, also known as Ziko, has been elected as the mayor of Damaro, a rural commune in Guinea's Haute Guinée region. Camara previously led the commune's special delegation since April 2024. He attributes his election to the trust placed in him by President of the Republic. As mayor, Camara aims to bring about a new dynamic to the commune's governance, leveraging the Code des collectivités locales to exercise the commune's full prerogatives.
Camara highlights the differences between leading a special delegation and an elected commune. As a special delegation leader, he was bound by a specific mission and limited in his actions. In contrast, as an elected mayor, he is guided by the Code des collectivités locales and works in correlation with the Simandou 2040 program. This new role allows him to work more freely, with the only limit being the law.
The commune of Damaro faces several challenges, including limited access to basic services such as water and healthcare. Camara's priorities include ensuring transparent and inclusive management of commune actions, involving citizens in decision-making processes, and making them active participants in local development. He aims to change the status of Simandou's residents from mere beneficiaries to actors and responsible individuals in their locality's development.
To achieve his goals, Camara has established various commissions, including a finance and revenue mobilization commission. He has also developed a plan to mobilize commune revenue, focusing on the 14 transferred competencies and leveraging the commune's own resources. The commune's financial service, managed by a receiver, and the prefectural tax service will aid in revenue collection.
Damaro's revenue sources are diverse, including a weekly market, a cattle market, and the Contribution Foncière Unique (CFU). The CFU is a significant source of revenue, as residents pay taxes on their properties. Additionally, the commune receives taxes from patentes, which are collected by the prefectural tax service and then distributed to the commune.
As the capital of Simandou, Damaro benefits from its proximity to the Simandou project. The commune receives a superficial tax paid annually by companies operating in the area, which contributes to its revenue. Camara is committed to ensuring that every franc mobilized is managed with the community's involvement, promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
Camara's vision for Damaro's development aligns with the Simandou 2040 program. He aims to work closely with residents, ensuring that they are informed and involved in commune decisions. By doing so, he hopes to bring about positive change and improve the lives of Simandou's residents.
Key points
- Newly elected mayor Ansoumane Camara vows to manage commune funds transparently and involve the community in decision-making processes.
- The commune of Damaro receives revenue from diverse sources, including markets, taxes, and the Contribution Foncière Unique.
- Camara aims to change the status of Simandou's residents from beneficiaries to active participants in local development.
