By Makutu Manneh
Yankuba Darboe, chairman of the Brikama Area Council, criticized successive Gambian governments on Monday for prioritizing large-scale infrastructure projects while failing to address what he described as the worsening economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
Speaking at a press conference welcoming Mamadi Kurang to the United Democratic Party, Mr. Darboe said national leaders had “never” treated public welfare as a central priority.
“So welfare has never been a priority for these successive governments. Only the welfare of those that are working within the state has been considered or prioritized, but the rest of the masses are left to fend for themselves,” he said.
Chairman Darboe attributed the frustration and sense of hopelessness among Gambian youths to this long-standing neglect. He emphasized that meaningful change can only come from a government that recognizes development as more than just building infrastructure—it must also prioritize the welfare of the people, ensuring that every citizen has access to a basic standard of living.
He assured that under a United Democratic Party (UDP) government, investment would not be limited to infrastructure alone but would extend to improving the welfare of all Gambians.
Darboe also pointed out that the Barrow administration had promised to enhance living standards if elected, yet many Gambians have yet to see tangible improvements since 2021.
“But the same President, I think, is one year into his second term, told Gambians that you are going to pay for the hospitals as it is no longer going to be free. Even healthcare is something they are not willing to support the poor in this nation to be able to at least get basic healthcare support,” he said.
He urged citizens to give the UDP a chance and vote for them for five years. “If we fail to meet your expectations, get rid of us, but like Kurang said, we cannot afford to give another president a third term in this country.”