Barrow’s Nephew Criticizes KMC Over Sanitation, Says Council Is Neglecting Basic Duties

By Makutu Manneh

Amadou Sanneh, a nephew of President Adama Barrow and an advocate for his re-election, has criticized the Kanifing Municipal Council over sanitation conditions in the municipality, accusing the council and its mayor, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, of failing to provide basic services to residents.

Speaking during a cleanup exercise at Serekunda Market, Sanneh said local authorities must take greater responsibility for waste management rather than relying on the central government to address problems that fall under the council’s mandate.

“This waste is a health hazard; it can contaminate people with severe sickness,” Sanneh said. “I am calling on the council to come clean the markets, roads, and the communities. Any community you go to, you will find waste.”

Sanneh argued that while the central government is responsible for major infrastructure and public services, including roads, schools, and electricity, municipal councils have their own responsibilities, particularly maintaining clean and sanitary communities.

He singled out Mayor Bensouda for criticism, saying residents were entitled to better services because they pay taxes and other levies to the council. Sanneh also accused the council of increasing taxes without delivering corresponding improvements in sanitation.

“If you collect taxes from the people, you should give them services in return,” he said.

Sanneh also questioned Bensouda’s absence from the cleanup exercise, criticizing the mayor for traveling to London for fundraising while, he said, residents continued to contend with sanitation problems at home.

His remarks come as sanitation and waste management remain politically contentious issues in the Kanifing municipality, with competing political figures assigning responsibility for the condition of markets and communities to different levels of government.

Sanneh has become an increasingly visible advocate for President Barrow’s re-election, meeting with communities, particularly women and youth groups, to encourage support for the president. During some of those engagements, he has also presented gifts and cash donations.

Sanneh said responsibility for the country’s development should not rest solely with the president, arguing that local government authorities must fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them.

“Nation building is a collective responsibility,” he said, adding that councils must take ownership of the duties assigned to them.