By Seedy Jobe
The leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Kebba Madi Bojang, has accused President Adama Barrow of failing to meet the expectations that brought him to power, arguing that widespread disappointment with the government is fueling a growing public desire for political change.
In an interview with Atlantic TV, Mr. Bojang said Gambians placed their confidence in Mr. Barrow based on hope for improved leadership but contended that the president has not fulfilled those expectations.
“People choose leaders based on hope and trust,” Mr. Bojang said. “If you fail to fulfill that hope and trust, people become desperate and disappointed. President Barrow has 100 percent failed the trust and confidence Gambians bestowed on him.”
Mr. Bojang argued that dissatisfaction with the administration stems not from unrealistic expectations but from what he described as the government’s inability to deliver on its promises.
Despite his criticism, the NDP leader acknowledged that the Barrow administration has undertaken development projects, particularly in road construction and healthcare infrastructure. He said, however, that such achievements should be viewed within the broader historical context of national development.
According to Mr. Bojang, successive Gambian governments have contributed to the country’s infrastructure, and no single administration should claim exclusive credit for projects that have evolved over decades.
He singled out the country’s founding president, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, as the leader most deserving of national recognition, crediting him with guiding The Gambia to independence and initiating many of the road networks that later governments expanded.
Mr. Bojang argued that responsible leadership requires acknowledging the contributions of previous administrations. He said governments should recognize when projects were initiated by one president, developed by another, and completed or upgraded by a successor, rather than presenting them as entirely new achievements.
The NDP leader also challenged the government to identify transformative infrastructure projects comparable to those undertaken in previous administrations. He cited the leveling of Nema Hill during former President Yahya Jammeh’s tenure as an example of a large-scale engineering project, adding that even political leaders who remain controversial should receive credit for accomplishments where it is warranted.
“If I speak about what the Barrow government has not done well, I will also speak about what they have done well,” Mr. Bojang said. “They have tried to improve the road infrastructure.”
Comments are closed.