By: Kemo Kanyi
MC Cham Jr., a business representative at the KanifingMunicipal Council, has described the Ministry of Agriculture as the worst performing ministry within the central government, adding that agriculture minister Dr. Demba Sabally should be ashamed of his ministry’s “underperformance”.
Reacting to Dr. Sabally’s blistering criticism against the UDP-led local governments that they have sidestepped their key responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness of their local government areas, Cham Jr. contended that it’s not uncommon for the Barrow administration to attack Talib Bensouda “out of fear”. He emphasized that the agriculture minister should concentrate on addressing the problems that his government caused for the farming community.
“It is shameful that Demba Sabally is attacking Talib Bensouda while neglecting the failures of his own ministry. The Ministry of Agriculture is underperforming. Farmers are suffering greatly. He should prioritize improving the livelihoods of farmers by working to increase groundnut prices instead of attacking UDP-led administrations,” Cham stated in an audio message shared with The Voice.
Cham also noted that NPP-led councils led councils lack the necessary materials to clean their environments and had toresort to seeking assistance from the KMC.
“The chairmen of Kerewan Area Council, Kuntaur Area Council, and Basse Area Council are all NPP leaders, yet these councils do not have adequate cleaning materials. For instance, Kuntaur Area Council has requested help from KMC for ‘Mbalit’ trucks, and Basse Area Council has asked for trucks and other cleaning supplies like wheelbarrows and rakes. These situations have occurred in this country,” he added.
MC Cham Jnr. argued that Dr. Sabally the “petty politics” that Dr. Sabally engaged into against the UDP-led local governments reflects the attitude of the NPP, claiming that NPP is not delivering any meaningful development butfocused on trivial discussions and politics.
On the KMC road project, Mr. Cham revealed that KMC, in collaboration with the National Roads Authority (NRA), conducted a complete road survey, with the NRA acting as advisers. He stated that the NRA later indicated that the contract should be signed by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, a decision he disagrees with.
“Ask your fellow minister, Ebrima Sillah, to explain why they want to delay the implementation of the KMC road project. The Mayor accomplished unprecedented road construction during his first term in office. You can also inquire with the Ministry of Environment and the National Environment Agency about why the country is in such a dirty state,” MC Cham Jr. urged minister Sabally.
