By: Aminata Hydara
The NPP has reacted to a disclosure by the secretary-general and leader of the UDP Ousainu Darboe, regarding a “land allocation” to President Adama Barrow.
In a statement sent to The Voice over the weekend, Seedy S.K Njie, deputy NPP spokesman said: “The UDP leader spoke in a manner suggestive, His Excellency Adama Barrow perpetrated a land grab and asked that the President come out to ‘clear the air’. In all respects, Hon. Darboe’s comments were mostly conjecture, showing he didn’t have sufficient facts and basis to make those statements.”
“For the benefit and future reference of all Gambians, all Gambian citizens may apply to the Minister responsible for Lands for the grant of state land under Section 11A of The State Lands Act. The President, as a citizen, is entitled to land allocation just like any other citizen,” said Njie.
“The allocation of land by the government to citizens has been a longstanding practice throughout our existence as a nation, and it is a privilege so many of our citizens including ordinary Gambians from all works of life, junior and senior civil servants, junior civil servants, industrialists, educational institutions and religious bodies have enjoyed,” he added, referencing the late Sir Dawda Jawara.
According to the NPP deputy spokesman, thousands of Gambians including statesmen, businessmen, government officials, politicians, religious leaders, ordinary citizens, and industrial entities have been allocated land in the past, including UDP’s leader ANM Ousainu Darboe himself, Cabinet Ministers, National Assembly members, including himself [deputy speaker].
“To buttress the equitable nature of this process, National Assembly Members from across all political parties were allocated land in Old Yundum. Similarly, if you go to Pipeline, Fajara, Kotu, Bakoteh, Salaji, Brufut, Bijilo, Brusubi, Kanifing, etc., thousands of Gambians get their land through the same process. It will be erroneous or misguided for one to call for denial of the same privileges by law to our sitting President based on Opposition,” maintained deputy spokesman Njie.
He stated that President Adama Barrow welcomes political pluralism and the opposition’s checks on government for a true and vibrant democracy that encourages meaningful and effective checks for development.
“As a country, we need to build strong democratic foundations and as well advocate for allocation of land to sitting presidents. UDP leader Darboe should have welcomed the idea as a way of encouraging and assuring our leaders that there is life after the Presidency.”
“We wish to reassure Gambians that the leader of NPP is aware of the limited land resources we have as a country and his government is judiciously and stringently utilizing them. The Principles of equity and that one person is entitled to one allocation is his government’s guiding principle,” he concluded.
