By Adama Makasuba
Opposition Gambia Action Party’s leader has warned President Adama Barrow of a potential betrayal within the circle of his administration while calling him to take a tough stance on uncommitted civil servants to effectively do their jobs for the development of the country.
Ousainou Musa Yali Batchilly highlighted Barrow’s disappointment with the slow progress of the OIC roads project as a sign of lack of commitment within his administration.
“I told President Barrow to come out on 15 August from the projects and what he has done with his cabinet in the 100 days in office so that we can also measure their performance. I was happy for him when he commented on July 14 because he had seen what I told him. If I am all those project managers, all of them will go to Janjanbureh [prison] OIC whoever [works there] will go to Janjanbureh,” he said.
“Lastly, I want to warn him to put an eagle eye on his cabinet, let him ask them to report to him every week, and when he went on tour to the OIC roads project, what he said was 1% disappointed. So, I am vindicated. And if he doesn’t mind, it will be 0% on any project. It doesn’t matter, they will betray him. President Barrow, I want well for you. If you win, The Gambia wins, but if you fail, The Gambia fails. I don’t want a job from you,” he added.
However, he also said: “I met with Essa Faal at Bijilo Elton [petrol station] and he insulted me. Essa Faal wanted to fight me saying Batchilly lied against me and told me all sorts of bad words. Batchilly is a liar. You know me, I am content, I looked at him and I laughed. I said “look at someone who wants to be the president of this country insulting.”
“Yeah, he insulted me in the presence of the people. This is not a story, I have evidence. The other one is my spokesperson, Bayo, and the other one is my political manager who is calling all Banta Kebba Sosseh who is in Denmark right now. And Banta Kebba Sosseh’s daughter, Nganar was once married to Essa Faal. I look at the respect Nganar shows me. I looked at Essa Faal and laughed, I said this is political gameplay. People toss each other and if you insult me, I will laugh, but when I come to the mic, I will tell them something constructive,” he added.