Kebba Ansu Manneh
Ousainou Darboe, leader of United Democratic Party (UDP) has denounced in the strongest terms the use of money and material resources to attract votes, saying that any candidate that uses money to attract the support of the voters is not fit to rule the country.
The UDP Leader who commences his nationwide campaign tour on in the North Bank Region (NBR) of the country on Saturday, 12th November, 2021, also promised the people of the region that UDP government will attract investor to the region to build high class hotels and motels that can host international travelers.
The UDP leader is among six other Presidential candidates’ campaigning the length and breadth of the country to canvass votes from the Gambian electorates ahead of the December 4th, 2021, Presidential election.
Addressing thousands of party supporters and militants at Nuimi Lamin Village, UDP said:
“If anybody who comes to you and offer you money for you to vote for him, you should know that, that person is not fit for the position of the President. You should know that when you give your votes to such people they will end up working for themselves but not for you.”
He added: “Wullai if anybody comes here with money for you to vote for him, know that if you give him your votes he will use the position to enrich himself. If anyone comes here for the sake of Allah and for the country if you give him your votes they will work for you but not those coming with money.”
According to him, Gambians should disperse candidates that are using money to win their votes and favors, observing that once such people are voted into office their first preoccupation will be how to enrich themselves at the disadvantage of the masses.
The Veteran politician reflected the attention of his audience to the just ended COP26, Climate Change conference, observing that protecting the environment should be everybody’s business in a bit to attracting investors that can build first class hotels and restaurants in Barra and the surroundings.
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe called for the fight against corruption and need to attract serious investors in rural part of the country.
He also said investor can be attracted into the country if Gambians are willing to fight corruption.
“The only way to attract investors in this country is to end corruption and this can only be done through fighting the practice. No one will dare to invest in a country where public officials will not do what they are supposed to do as collecting bribe is opened in all our offices,” Lawyer Darboe argued.
He added: “If we are to attract tourists to this part of the country we must tie our shoe laces and fight corruption. Fighting corruption is the only way to develop our country.”
He observed that many times when the ferry closes for services many traveler’s especially the international travelers finds it hard to secure accommodation, within Barra and its surroundings, adding that a UDP government will endeavor to attract the needed investors who can build first class hotels and motels that can meet the demands of international travelers who may like to sleep overnight.