By Binta Jaiteh
Pateh Baldeh, the former spokesperson of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) and President of the Network of Gender Journalists for Women and Cultural Advancement has recounted that the exiled Yaya Jammeh, former President of The Gambia warned President Barrow not to neglect the security of the country while he was departing for exile, but the government did not listen.
He enunciated that President Barrow has tampered with the security of the country which has led to rampant corruption scandals, high murder cases, a hike in prices of basic commodities, youth unemployment, and fornication among government high officials in the country.
Mr Baldeh said the State of the Nation Address by the President weeks ago is misleading adding that the Ministries did not inform President Barrow about the realities that are going on. “The nation address should be centered on the burning issue of the country not presenting issues that happened when he took over the office “ he added
President Barrow, he said, keeps on signing agreements with international organizations without telling the people, the benefits and impacts attached to those agreements.
He said for five good years the Government still cannot present tangible strategies for the way forward for this country. “If you look at the current status of the country nothing is working youths are complaining of the country that is the reason why the crime rate is rampant because there is no law that will hold them accountable.”
He stressed that the country’s health system is not up to standard with all the funds that are allocated to them to change the health system. “This is very sad for a country that has it is independent and still the government cannot develop such a small country like Gambia.”
He lamented that poor Gambians continue to suffer despite the tax they are paying.
Meanwhile, roads are poor, lack of electricity and water farmers cannot afford to buy a bag of fertilizer due to the high cost, and women are not empowered. The majority has lost confidence in the government since the promises that President Barrow made were propaganda just to have the votes, he expressed.