Darboe Challenges Government to Prove Who Initiated URR Roads and Bridges

By Seedy Jobe

Ousainu Darboe, the leader of the United Democratic Party, has challenged the government to provide evidence of who initiated major road and bridge projects in the Upper River Region, accusing President Adama Barrow’s administration of taking credit for infrastructure projects that he says were secured through his efforts.

Speaking Saturday at a UDP-led alliance rally in Allunhari, Mr. Darboe disputed the government’s claims about its role in delivering some of the region’s infrastructure, saying residents who attended ceremonies marking the start of the projects could attest to his involvement.

“I challenge them to do that,” Mr. Darboe said, calling on government officials to publicly dispute his account and demonstrate who was responsible for securing the projects.

Mr. Darboe said he joined President Barrow in laying foundation stones for the projects and questioned why other senior government officials, including the ministers responsible for health and agriculture, were not given that role if the projects had originated within their ministries.

He asserted that both the roads and bridges were secured through his efforts while he served in Mr. Barrow’s government. Mr. Darboe was vice president and foreign minister during the early years of the Barrow administration before his dismissal in 2019.

The UDP leader also sought to draw a distinction between how the projects were financed. He claimed that the bridges secured during his time in government imposed no financial burden on Gambians, while accusing the current administration of relying heavily on borrowing to finance road construction.

Mr. Darboe did not provide documentation at the rally to substantiate the financing arrangements he described.

He pledged that a UDP government would seek to expand the country’s road network while reducing reliance on loans for infrastructure projects. Money that might otherwise be used to service such borrowing, he said, could instead be directed toward health care, education, agriculture and other public services.

Mr. Darboe also anticipated criticism of his account, accusing government supporters of routinely challenging his public statements. He invited them to present evidence contradicting his claims about the origins of the URR projects.

Turning to the coming presidential election, Mr. Darboe urged supporters to safeguard their votes, saying the ballot would ultimately determine the country’s political direction.

He also welcomed former supporters of the ruling National People’s Party who had joined the UDP and called for unity among opposition supporters ahead of the election.