By: Fatou Krubally
Chairman of Kerewan Area Council (KAC), Papa Tunkara, has rejected recent accusations from the United Democratic Party (UDP), describing allegations of reckless spending under his administration as “bogus and misleading.”
Tunkara was responding to a press statement made by Tombong Saidy, UDP’s Administrative Secretary for Media and Communication, which accused the National People’s Party (NPP)-led council of misusing public funds and focusing on luxury at the expense of essential services in the North Bank Region.
In a detailed rebuttal, Chairman Tunkara said the claims lacked merit and failed to reflect the developmental work carried out since he assumed office in 2023. He accused the UDP of spreading falsehoods and urged the party to verify information before making public statements.
“Instead of spreading false allegations about Kerewan Area Council and its leadership, Mr. Saidy, you should have contacted my Office to get your facts right,” he said.
Tunkara stated that his administration inherited a financially unstable council left behind by the former UDP-led team. Despite the challenges, he said the current council has completed three previously abandoned market projects in Munyagen, Sara Kunda, and Ngayen Sajal, each costing nearly one million dalasis.
He also highlighted several infrastructure improvements, including borehole rehabilitation in Farafenni Darra Abdou, Kataba Wollof, Kerr Amadou, and other communities. The Chairman argued that these efforts were part of the council’s broader strategy to improve access to basic services across the region.
On the issue of vehicle purchases, Tunkara denied claims that D7.6 million was spent outright, clarifying that the council acquired two vehicles through a pre-financing arrangement with Supersonicz Micro-Finance. The vehicles, he said, are to be paid for in installments over four years and are intended to enhance the council’s operational capacity.
Addressing concerns about foreign travel, Tunkara defended the council’s participation in the World Conference of Mayors in the United States. He said the visit resulted in a partnership with the City of Union Springs, Alabama, which could lead to collaboration in areas such as education, agriculture, and waste management.
He added that procurement processes are ongoing for two new waste collection trucks and the rehabilitation of the council’s office and the Chairman’s residence. He also confirmed that tenders for new markets in Pakau Njogu and Medina Sering Mass have been submitted to the Gambia Public Procurement Authority.
“Our record speaks for itself,” Tunkara said. “The new NPP Council inherited a bankrupt institution and has turned it into one of the most solvent councils in the country.”
