By Sulayman Waan
Mamma Kandeh, leader for Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has accused the Barrow-led government of diverting public funds meant for nation building into their personal issues.
Mr Kandeh was speaking at a political rally at Changai Wolof village in the Sami District, Central River Region north (CRR/n).
He said: “Projects that supposed to be implemented particularly in the CRR/n have come. The money has come but it has been consumed but they (government) have reported that those projects have been implemented.”
However, Hon. Kandeh added that some people are in the country assessing the projects to see whether government have implemented them or not “,” he hyperbolically told the gathering “At this point fish is in water but it is sweating.”
On Groundnut Purchase
He said: “recently government arrested some farmers for allegedly selling their groundnut to Senegal” adding “if government does not want the Gambian farmers to sell their groundnut to neighboring Senegal therefore, let it (government) purchase the groundnut at the same price with that country.”
“Telling groundnut meddle men to obtain license before involving into groundnut business is a new initiative in the country,” he added.
He alleged that government lacked money to purchase the groundnut from farmers at a better price, saying it is just disturbing the farmers with simple noise.
He argued that if farmers are not supported with seeds and fertilizers; then no one should prevent them from selling their products at their will.
On World Bank and Government funds
The World Bank in partnership with the Gambia Government disbursed funds means to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the public particular the rural poor. On this regard, the seasoned politician told the gathering that the Barrow Government did not sponsored the said money.
He noted that it is funded by the development partners of The Gambia as a charity to the poor. “If government tells you they brought that money then this is a start of another lie.”
“That does not happen. The three thousand dalasis (D3000) people are getting is not brought by the government. Gambia is not the only country that benefited from that money. The entire world has benefited from it, especially the low-income countries,” he said.
He revealed to his supporters that every household was given one thousand and five hundred dalasis (1500) per month but government usually add the two months amounting three thousand and give that to household and claimed it is disbursed by the National People’s Party (NPP).
