By: Kemo Kanyi
Bakary Bunja Darbo, former Vice President of The Gambia and the leader of the opposition Gambia For All [GFA] Party, has stated that how the recent ‘Meet the People Tour’ was conducted deviated from its Constitutional requirements.
Adding that during the Progressive People’s Party [PPP] era, it was named ‘Meet the Farmers Tour, which he says was ‘’very practical’’ and apolitical, but the recent ‘Meet the People Tour’ was far from that mandate.
‘’Conducting it in this grand style is purely political, and very sad considering the cost involved. They [President and his associates] are calling it a constitutionally mandated tour. Why should the Constitution mandate it the way it is currently carried out? It doesn’t have to be in such a flamboyant and flashy way. That has deviated from its [Meet the People Tour] purpose,’’ BB Darboe stated whilst on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on Thursday.
Speaking on the appointment of a minister responsible for presidential affairs, the veteran politician registered his strong condemnation of the position, stating that he doesn’t see any need for it. He added that the government should focus on cutting spending considering the current economic status quo of The Gambia.
‘’At this time, the government should have drastically reduced the number of ministerial positions and the missions abroad to cut spending. I can’t understand the creation of the Presidential Affairs Ministry because I don’t see any need for it,’’ the GFA leader argued.
