Honorable Momodou Sabally, firebrand United Democratic Party supporter, has scoffed Barrow administration economic independence possibility drive as unrealistic.
“True as this statement is, when I saw a top Barrow Administration official state that their motto for this year’s independence celebration is “Economic Independence is Possible. For me its similitude is that of a guy constantly diving into the sea and claiming that his body will never be wet,” the former presidential affairs minister and secretary general said.
“Economics is not magic; it’s a science. Economies are built with resources, be it physical natural or, in this knowledge economy, human ingenuity and resourcefulness. To attain and maintain a strong and independent economy, you need to not only harness and protect your resources; you also need to invest in human capital development,” he said.
“From giving away and natural resources like fish and black sand to Europe and China; to the deportation of our economically indispensable young men and women in the Diaspora; Barrow and his gang of corrupt and inept officials are destroying the very fabric of our economy. Our marine resources are being over exploited by the Chinese. Do you remember the case of the fishing trawler caught doing illegal fishing and the conversation the ship owners had with a top government official agreeing with them to bribe him and his minister $100,000 so they could go free?” he added.
According to him, The Gambia is exporting back sand worth hundreds of millions of dollars to China. This ugly and opaque deal is being run by a close associate of President Barrow, adding Gambians don’t have a clue how much money is being made out of this.
“A serious government interested in economic independence would have created the necessary industrial facilities to process this black sand into finished goods like tiles for higher value and export; while creating employment for the economically marginalized masses of young people in this country.
“So instead of creating jobs for the youths this government is exporting jobs and helping the west to deport our youths into poverty. The tourist industry used to be of great help for the youths; but this government’s promotion of the all-inclusive system has enabled the rich hoteliers to deprive our youths and women operating on the fringes of the industry of their source of livelihood. The foreign exchange expected from tourism is all kept in the banks in the West while the poor masses deal with the negative side of tourism,” he divulged.