By: Kemo Kanyi
The Minister of Agriculture,Dr. Demba Sabally, has launched a blistering criticism against the UDP-led local governments, stating that they [UDP mayors and chairpersons] have failed to deliver development to their electorates.
He added that the UDP mayors are preoccupied with petty politics and political squabbles.
Dr. Sabally stated that whenever UDP members are given the opportunity to proof themselves to be gentle and peaceful, they fell short of the expectations, labelling them as “the vilest group of politicians in The Gambia”. He accused the BAC chairman Yankuba Darboe of sidestepping his duties and responsibilities.
“Look at how disorganized Yankuba Darboe has turned the West Coast Region. Look at how dysfunctional Yankuba and BAC are. They are so focussed on petty politics and fights, and creating dissatisfaction in the population, hoping for an uprising which will never be coming,’’ Dr. Sabally, who is also the second deputy president of the NPP, said in a recent interview with Coffee Time With Peter Gomez.
On Kanifing Municipal Council, Dr. Sabally said refuse collection is concerning within the municipality and blamed the KMC of not working towards resolving the matter but only planting few flowers around their office, claiming to be doing well. He added that the Talib Bensouda administration failed to address the basic; waste collection, stating that 80% of the residents of the Kanifing Municipality pay donkey carts to collect their refuse.
He also stated that Talib and his group has given false impression to the people of KMC, making them believe that he [Talib] will construct roads worth D300 million. He accused Bensouda of unfairly blaming the National Roads Authority for obstructing his road project.
“They talk about building roads. Which road have they built up to today? They are now busy, blaming the National Roads Authority. The NRA cannot throw hurdles in their way. Their budget of D300 million is unrealistic. The cost of building roads is between D25M and D30M per kilometre. So, if Talib and his group announced to the people of KM that they have a budget of D300 million for road construction, it’s a fallacy,’’ Dr. Sabally asserted. “He [Talib] knows it’s false. He is not intending to build any roads, but as a politician, it’s good for him to make the accusation against the NRA and look for a scapegoat. In reality, he knows that D300 million can only build 10 kilometres at best. President Barrow has already built over 800km of roads across the country.’’
On Banjul City Council (BCC), the NPP second deputy president mentioned that during Meet The People Tour, they went round Banjul but that behind Albert Market was a mess, adding that the entire streets of Banjul were paved by President Barrow.
“The Mayors of Banjul and KM, and the Chairman of Brikama Area Council are busy politicking instead of delivering to the people. This is why they will not collect the refuse,’’ he alleged.
Dr. Sabally claimed that the UDP wants to make the situation in the country as chaotic as possible so that the country can be ungovernable.
“This is all part of their grand style as previously stated by their party leader,’’ he stated.
